A Mouse with the Eyes of a Hawk

waiting and watching

I watch my breasts

Like a hawk

Searching for prey

 

Waiting, watching,

 

Will they be pecked out

Like the flesh of a rodent

Reduced to the bone

 

Will that be enough

Or will I be poisoned

To kill the poison

 

A rodent dehydrated of life

And grateful for the end

 

I think of how

They attracted attention

When they were young

 

And how they served my children

Of their meals

 

And how they give me curve

defining me as a woman

 

I watch them intently

 

With all the fear of a rodent

Running for its life from a hawk

Reviews

[Rachel Fitzgerald-Feele..]

Hi Patricia, I do hope all is well as I am only just reading this now - 29th August 2023. Outstanding piece, expressed so well. I work in the area of breast health education and was diagnosed myself 16years ago aged 28. My Mam has since been diagnosed these past few years. Sending best wishes your way.

[Patricia]

Thank you Rachel and nice to meet you! Your words bring comfort as I wait. I am a retired R.N. and did my student nurse internship in oncology and wanted to stay in the field but things don't always play out as planned as I switched fields to mother/baby after I got my license but still very well educated in oncology. Times have changed, medicine has changed since then and outcomes have changed. Though I am not very confident about the cysts, I am more confident in the outcome if they are cancer. So for now I wait, I pray, and will know more in December and hope that they have decreased in size and they resolve on their own. If not, well, one step at a time. I have beat cancer twice in two other locations so I have strength and hope. You are so kind!!!! My hopes and prayers are with you!

[Lorry]

To be perfectly honest, my first thought was "This can't be about a tit mouse!" so I read others reviews and realised I was way off course, but when I read it again it made complete sense, even to senseless me.
Once admired, nourished your family, and poisoned to kill the poison should have been obvious really.
And guys think we have it tough going bald!!!
I do hope there is a second act to this piece, where you get to tell us there is a happy ever after, where poisons aren't required to kill poisons and you live to a ripe old age, healthy and as I said, happy ever after.
Ps... Sorry about the titmouse... It was honestly my first thought. It will be me going to the bad fire. You were only reading it!

[Patricia]

Thank you Lorry and nothing to apologize about. I will know more in December as it is a wait and see kind of thing. Seriously, I am amazed I have lived this long so I am good. ;)

[Lorry]

I am amazed I've lived this long too, but mainly down to what I call perma-clumsiness, than anything else.
I've been knocked down, up and sideways so many times I now look both ways about six times each way before crossing. I've fell on my head so many times I now wonder why they don't make head size shoes and almost garrotted myself pretending I was evel kneival, but strangely enough the only bone I've broken is in my nose, and to be fair, it wasn't me doing the breaking, it was when someone else's fist hit it at high velocity.... Which come to think of it was probably my mouths fault 😊

[William Michael Reeves]

At first I didn't know what to think. By the time I finished the poem it crossed my mind. Then reading the reviews created clarity. That is some powerful thought ... to be afraid of what defines femininity. Not the only thing that defines that, and as a man I can't fully understand, but I can imagine how breast cancer has that added fear of losing more than life or body parts. The loss of identity. My best friend had it. She had cerebral palsy. I accompanied her to all her appointments. Every step of the way helping with the mammograms, the effects of chemo, and the eventual loss of that part of her identity. She survived. Lived into her 80's. Survivor was her identity. With understanding this poem becomes so powerful. Poisoned to kill the poison. I don't know what to say but I understand, and hope for you.

[Patricia]

Thank you William, it is hard to understand , a bit cryptic, but it's just what my pen wrote, I just held it. and thank you for your concern, I will know more of situation in December. It is a wait and see situation but seeing as this is my third time I am not feeling all that positive, but I am trying to stay positive.

[William Michael Reeves]

Your meaning became clear. Thinking about you ... I too plainly care.

[Gee]

I will be keeping everything crossed for you Patricia, take care :)

[Patricia]

Thanx Gee :)

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

I read your poem "A mouse with the eyes of a hawk" and was struck by the way you used language to convey the vulnerability and fear that can come with being a woman. Your words are a powerful reminder of the way that societal pressures and expectations can impact our sense of self and our relationship with our bodies.

I appreciated the way you used vivid descriptions and sensory details to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. Your words transported me to a world of fear and vulnerability, where a woman's body is both a source of power and a target of violence.

Your poem is a reminder of the importance of self-love and acceptance, and the need to resist the forces that seek to diminish us. I was moved by your words and inspired by your message, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read your poem.

Thank you for sharing your work with the world, and I look forward to reading more of your poetry in the future.

[Chris Shaw]

This poem speaks to me with a loud voice. Reminds me of a fight I had with the dreaded c . A mouse with the eyes of a hawk, watching, waiting, trying to overcome its fear and succeeding. You are missed dear lady. Be well and happy.

Chris

[Patricia]

Thank you dear Chris! Yes, I am in a holding pattern for another five months as you know doctors love to wait and see...Me not so much, I would prefer an answer now. I don't feel confident in this but I will write my way through it. Missed you as well. Sorry to be away so long. Hugs!

[Chris Shaw]

Hugs to you. You are in my thoughts. Take good care of yourself. X

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Patricia… We are actually Eagles guarding our Nests on the Mountain Top. The Breast of an Eagle is full of Pride as we Strive to fly and explore the Cloud formations from Heavens View Point. Thrilled to see your Poetry that whispers softly…. Dare to be Brave. tenderly, Pat

[Patricia]

Thank you Patricia! Bravery is a choice and so I choose to be as brave as you. Love P

[Patricia Wedel]

I 💗 love to be Brave… I see and talk with people every day. Most people are very Brave. I believe in the “Spirit” that every one of us is “Born” with. We need more Poets that can change the World for the Better by writing about the Beauty of People… their Kindness and Generosity with their Time. There are a lot of Tragedies; however, we need to read about how we can make a difference together. Amen… Pat 💜

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Patricia… did you know that Madam Currie discovered the Method of Radiation used in Cancer treatments? Next Thursday will be the last treatment of my fifteen treatments. The Technicians were wonderful people. I learned so much by being involved. We are Survivors… 💗 Love and devotion… always, Pat

[Patricia]

I did not know that. Wow that’s interesting! I love tidbits like that! Thank you for sharing that :)