Dangerous Companion

I wrote this poem after my last chemo treatment for breast cancer in 2003. This is my personal journey with cancer, finding the lump, surgery, chemo, moving on in joy

We met on a breezy August eve

I knew then my life would not be the same.

Her greeting was subtle, a mere gentle touch,

But I sensed she was lethal; I suspected her name.

Dangerous Companion,

                Where did you come from?

Dangerous Companion,

    Why are you here?

Dangerous Companion,

                I will defeat you!

                        You will not hurt me!

You will not kill me!

                But I am afraid.

 

“I know who you are!” I shouted with fear

“Get out of my life!” I pleaded (I begged)

“I’m not leaving yet- there’s much to be done.

You must walk with me now.” she softly said.

 

“I will die if you linger!”  I screamed in her face

“You’ve been dying forever, entombed in your fears.”

“My surgeon will kill you and cast you away!”

“She won’t kill my mission- now mop up those tears!”

Dangerous Companion,

                Where did you come from?

Dangerous Companion,

    Why are you here?

Dangerous Companion,

                I will defeat you!

                        You will not hurt me!

You will not kill me!

                Still I am afraid.

 

Our journey together began with our parting

By scalpel and stitches, and surgical tape.

She then went her own way, and I to recovery

The severance complete- my new future to make.

 

Knives and injections have sent her away

Yet her Spirit lives in me and toughens my will

To shatter illusion and abide without fear

Even should she come back to walk with me still.

 

Dangerous Companion

                It hasn’t been easy

Dangerous Companion,

    The pain is so deep

Dangerous Companion,

                I’m oddly grateful,

                        You took what was dear to me

And uncovered the depth of me

                I’m destined to live!

 

 

 

Mary Morra

March 2003

Author's Note

this is a revision of my original poem I wrote in 2003. My 12 year celebration of sorts. I hope it sends a message of hope to anyone who has experienced cancer, directly or through a loved one.

Reviews

[Jen Walters]

My aunt was supposedly diagnosed with breast cancer but it was stage 0? if there is such a stage...but other cancers are in my family. My mom has survived it and I am proud of her for it. I wish they would do more for cancer research, but I guess they are doing the best they can. Thanks for sharing such an interestingly styled poem and have a great day.

[Mary]

Thank you, Jen, for your kind review. I used to be afraid of my own shadow, but after mascectomy and chemo, I learned that there isn't much left to fear. And how liberating is that?

[Jen Walters]

Very liberating, I wish I could learn it, I was on the verge of losing my uterus, but my husband told me to have faith and pray and the rest will fall in place, and it has. It's almost like he's told my future. I still have the medical problems but they are not as bad because of my growing Faith. Have a great day.

[Marie Anzalone]

What are we capable of? And more importantly, what pushes us to actually find out? Breast cancer is scary, extremely scary. I know that any time there is an oddity of any kind, a slow simmering fear sets in in my own life. That you rose above is a powerful testament to the fact that we are mortal, and actually contmeplating our mortailty has the tremendous power to bring out the absolute best in us. or its worst. Your beauty shines through in this, Mary- you chose to not let the fear win, and ths, you are a beacon of hope for others. You say here you wrote this for all survivors, and I think that is true. You really did.

Your use of dialogue here is a very clever way of disempowering the fear. Wonderful work!

[Mary E Green]

Wow ! Almost speechless - if others who are facing such a health crisis could read these lines - they would not feel so alone & afraid. Betrays the struggles of suffering - that suffering does bring with it the opportunity to be awakened. Love this piece Mary, the words of a survivorXx

[Mary]

Thank you. Feel free to pass it along to anyone you feel needs to have it ;-)

[Mary E Green]

Thank you for that I will :)

[RachelReaper]

This is an inspiring story of your fight against fear, and you won. That's what I love about this, you won. And it just made you that much stronger as a person.

[FJ Davis]

Brilliantly illuminates a new cancer perspective.
Remarkable, Mary!

[Mary]

thank you for your kind review. honestly, I felt the spirit of survivors moving my pen.

[ROSALIND]

very moving such courage a struggle to fight on .........

[Mary]

thank you Rosalind. honestly, I believe it was written by many survivors, their spirits flowing through my pen. Writing this was a strange experience.