Cancer, My Identity.

A short piece on my new identifier, Cancer.

Hushed whispers, people who stare

At the man without any hair

Skin transparent, ghostly white

But their eyes still hold on tight

 

What do they think of me?

Cancer signs show visibly

No, not the sign of my birth

But a telling sign of my curse

 

Pity scrawled along their face

Thinking of my resting place

Don’t give a time limit to me

I will fight this, I’ll be freed

 

Strangers looking, slanted head

Looking at me like I’m dead

It’s okay people I’m still here

I lost my eyebrows but don’t you fear

 

Surely,they'll grow back in due time

And next time would you be so kind

To just treat me normally

I'm still human, can't you see

 

…Cancer, my new identity…

Author's Note

Feedback on any of my work is always welcomed, I love learning and improving :)

Reviews

[Muse]

I hate..yet I am drawn to reading poems about this horrid disease. I am all too familiar with it...even had my own little scare a year ago. I think the pity you see is just a natural knee-jerk reaction. One can't begin to fathom the pain of being there...yet when you see pain and suffering like this in another human being...you imagine being in their shoes...but only for a fraction of a second...just long enough to question your own mortality...then the shoes begin to feel uncomfortable....we don't know what else to do...but just stare at the evidence...the lack of hair...pale skin...it is normal for humans to stare at what they fear...what they question....in a sick sort of way....when people stare....we are paying fate our respects to our own insecurities.

[DJ]

That is an interesting way to look at it, I guess I never really thought of it like that before. I knew that it was natural of course, but I never thought about them contemplating their own fate and mortality. Thank you for your point of view. I'm sorry that you are familiar with this... it is a horrible disease that's for sure. One which I am battling and hopefully one day, you will see a poem on surviving it :) Thanks for the review and for stopping by.

[Muse]

you already are a survivor...living with it...is surviving it!

[DJ]

Thank you my friend :)

[AYAANA IBSHAAN]

i love this poem.. please view my poem cancer and review thank you. :)

[Kourtney G]

This is very beautiful. I relate to this because you see my closet grandmother fought cancer for so many years. I know when she lost her hair , it was a tough change for her. As you describe yourself here as being tough against the Cancer , my Grandmother was as well. She fought long and hard but , unfortunately she lost her fight just a year back. I loved her so dearly , she raised me when parents could not and she was very loving.

You are a survivor , your poem says that all too well. You will survive , don't ever give up. It is wonderful and very touching to me.
Keep up with your good work. :)

[DJ]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your Grandmother, it is a hard and relentless disease. Sounds like she was an amazing lady and you were lucky to have her.

Thank you my friend. I believe I will survive, I am determined to kick cancers butt. Thank you for sharing your pain and dropping by, I appreciate it :) Take care.

[Priscilla Sayers]

A strong message. Great piece!

[DJ]

Thank you so much for stopping by :)

[bobc]

Reminded me of when a friend was being treated for colon cancer. He seemed to appreciate that I didn't treat him differently than I ever had. In fact, I got my hair cut...down to the wood so to speak...and collected donations to a charity in his name for doing it. Hang in there...for me cancer at least, cancer is not your identity at all. ...bob

[DJ]

Wow, that is admirable! Your friend is lucky to have a friend like you by his side, what an awesome soul you have. Thanks, it is hard sometimes with people staring, but I guess that is human nature. Thank you for your compassion :)

[Jordan Bryant]

You have a lovely sense of rhythm and rhyme. Rhyming poems are tricky these days because it is easy to force them but yours flows so beautifully. I can feel the emotional tension in this poem. Very evocative. Good luck, my friend. You have a beautiful soul.

[DJ]

Thank you so much that means a lot. It's always a worry writing in rhyme, whether it will flow, glad it did. Thank you for your kind words, I like getting uplifting comments like yours. You too.my friend :)

[Vani Jalagar]

optimistic........every line is awesome and heart touching.

[DJ]

Optimistic is the only way to be in this situation, though I still have many bad days. Today being one. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read it :)

[Broken Wings]

I really admire the bravery it takes to write about such a hard topic, one that you are having to endure. I think your writing is just amazing, as is your heart which is reflected through all you have written. Keep fighting and stay strong. I also like the hint of humor that comes across in the line about losing your eyebrows. "
Cancer signs show visibly
No, not the sign of my birth
But a telling sign of my curse"
A great reference to the star sign, which is actually mine :p Well written. Thanks for sharing your journey with us all.

[DJ]

Thank you s much for your comment and taking the time to read it. I'll keep fighting :)

[London's Lily]

I'm overwhelmed by how much this poem touched me. The third verse made me nod and frown, as if to say, "That's right! You tell them!" The entire poem was perfectly written, giving readers insight and perspective they might not otherwise have known. It is a shame that people look at you that way, because what they should be seeing is someone who, as you said, is *alive.* Knowing someone is (or has been) fighting cancer, but is standing before you, is a *good* thing.

Cancer does not cause me to feel pity... it causes me to feel anger. The kind of anger and rage that no thesaurus can help you find an accurate word for. I have a personal vendetta against cancer because it has stolen many people from me, including my father. My compassion extends to everyone fighting that battle, strangers or otherwise. Every time I hear of someone winning the battle, I want to sneer at cancer, and say, "You couldn't take that one, you b*****d. And someday, you won't be able to take anyone ever again." (pardon my language)

Anyway, I just wanted to reach out with a friendly handshake, or a hug if you need one, and tell you that this random stranger over here admires your strength and spirit (and your writing)! Take care. :)

[DJ]

I'm so sorry that your able to relate to this piece and for the people you have lost. Cancer is evil and sadly takes many far too soon. It makes me angry too so I can relate to you feeling that way. Thank you for understanding my poem and for all your kind words, it means a lot to me. I am grateful to all the beautiful people I have "met" on here who are so supportive and take the time to get to know me.

To be honest, until very recently I have been ashamed of my illness and have not talked about it. This cafe provides me a safe environment to purge my feelings without fear and without actually having to talk, well only through writing, which is the best way to purge.

Handshake/hug accepted lol Thank you so much my friend.

[zaneybear]

oh my gosh you explain the exact emotions my aunt went through, you keep fighting!! this is beautiful just absolutely powerful

[DJ]

I'm sorry about your Aunt. Thank you Zaneybear, I appreciate your words and support :)

[zaneybear]

thank you, stay strong dear

[DJ]

You too my friend :D