Wednesday, April 3, 2013

A-Z Challenge

For the A-Z challenge, we decided to post a new and original poem every day (yipes!)  Today, Juliet tackles the letter "C."


Cancer


Tell me about your despair.

Trust me with your secret humiliations,

So that I know I am trustworthy.

Give me the amulet of protection that,

Only the closest Bond owns.

Make me a friend.

And I will promise you,

Truth, steadfast loyalty and laughter.

It is nothing.

These ribs spread wide, 

Scalpel sliced through layers of skin,

Your reserve will not act as armor.

Not from death or ruined reputation,

Or me

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76 comments:

  1. ReginaApril 3, 2013 at 4:39 AM

    Thank you for your bravery in writing and sharing this, Juliet.

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  2. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 5:23 AM

    Thanks, honey. It's been a big part of our year as you know. And there are so many people who have cancer or have a loved one with cancer (again, as you know.) I wonder why there aren't millions of poems about cancer.

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  3. MeganApril 3, 2013 at 5:42 AM

    Thank you for this. I work for a hospice and this is a very brave yet beautiful reflection of cancer.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 6:46 AM

      Wow, Megan. That's hard work. I had a friend in hospice a few years ago and the nurse was amazing. One night, we were chatting and she pulled out a picture of a beautiful five-year-old girl. It was her daughter who had, had cancer. She got into that work because a hospice nurse had been so kind to her as she was losing her daughter and she felt that it had been more than necessary to have that. I admire what you do!

      Delete
  4. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 6:06 AM

    Beautiful.

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  5. Al DiazApril 3, 2013 at 6:29 AM

    I know what is to lose a dear one to cancer and a few more fighting it. I admire their braveness in facing it. Hats off to their courage.

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  6. Ann FinkelsteinApril 3, 2013 at 6:52 AM

    Another moving poem. Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 6:57 AM

      Thank you Ann! You are so good to visit us so often!

      Delete
  7. KateApril 3, 2013 at 8:38 AM

    The epitome of an untrustworthy narrator!!!!

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    1. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 10:27 AM

      I have always been drawn to that kind of character ;)

      Delete
  8. IngerApril 3, 2013 at 9:06 AM

    You found the essence in this poem. I once had cancer, caught early, I was very lucky. I will be back and I'm now your latest follower.

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  9. Claudia DApril 3, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    Awesome, Regina. Another one from the heart.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 10:27 AM

      Thanks, Claudia! This one was by me (Juliet)but Regina's amazing poem was posted yesterday.

      Delete
  10. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    You'd think cancer was friendly, the way it shares itself!

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  11. EvalinaMariaApril 3, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    I am a cancer (astrological sign)

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  12. Gwen GardnerApril 3, 2013 at 11:35 AM

    Sounds like the cancer is luring in an unsuspecting victim. Kill it before it spreads!

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  13. katie eggemanApril 3, 2013 at 11:52 AM

    I thought this was right on about deadly cancer. Very heartfelt.
    Katie atBankerchick Scratchings

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  14. Empty NesterApril 3, 2013 at 12:10 PM

    I'm so envious of those who can write poetry- it's such a powerful genre. I would love to share this poem, if that's ok, just by sharing your blog with a few friends.

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  15. ElizabethApril 3, 2013 at 12:29 PM

    Wow, that was very heart-touching. The use of the words Trust and Truth in connection with cancer were real.

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  16. AnonymousApril 3, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    This one hits a nerve. My Dad passed from cancer nearly 16 years ago. I remember his surgery (and so much more) way more than I want to, even today.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 2:49 PM

      I'm so sorry or your loss, M.J. I'm glad if this brought you any comfort.

      Delete
  17. Sarah WilliamsApril 3, 2013 at 1:39 PM

    A very moving piece of writing. Thank you for sharing this. Sarah.

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  18. Elise FallsonApril 3, 2013 at 2:13 PM

    A very powerful and touching piece. I know several people who have battled against cancer. Some have won, other have not. I miss them.

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    1. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 2:50 PM

      I'm sorry for your losses and look forward to the day when we can beat cancer and say, "remember when..."

      Delete
  19. Daniel B.April 3, 2013 at 2:37 PM

    A thoughtful piece. Also, I like that you've opted to post poetry this month.

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  20. Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague SikesApril 3, 2013 at 3:03 PM

    Your poetry is amazing, Juliet!

    Mary Montague Sikes

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 3:08 PM

    Beautiful Juliet. I love the idea of posting a poem every day. I've written a little bit of poetry, but I'm not that great at it. It's a gift I really admire in other people though!

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 4:09 PM

      Hi Karen, so nice of you to stop by. I'll head on over to find you :)

      Delete
  22. Christine RainsApril 3, 2013 at 3:25 PM

    Beautiful poem. A lot of emotion in it.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 4:10 PM

      Hi Christine, Thank you. I'm really enjoying this challenge!

      Delete
  23. Jay NoelApril 3, 2013 at 3:32 PM

    Wonderful and profound poem. Everyone's life has been touched by cancer.

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  24. Carrie ButlerApril 3, 2013 at 4:10 PM

    Wow. Well done.

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  25. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 4:20 PM

    very interesting....well done.

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  26. AnonymousApril 3, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    My father died of cancer so this one hit home. Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 4, 2013 at 4:54 AM

      I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing that with me.

      Delete
  27. BrindaApril 3, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    Powerful writing...

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  28. JagodaApril 3, 2013 at 4:33 PM

    Wow! powerful poem.
    Jagoda from Conflict Tango

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 4, 2013 at 4:55 AM

      Thank you! Your blog has such a fabulous name!

      Delete
  29. ChrisApril 3, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    Cancer seems to be following me everywhere I go. Thank you for this poem.

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  30. mshatchApril 3, 2013 at 7:09 PM

    I feel fortunate that my mom survived.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 4, 2013 at 5:02 AM

      Thank goodness. I am sorry that you had to ace something so terrifying.

      Delete
  31. Rebecca Green GasperApril 3, 2013 at 7:31 PM

    Powerful poem...wonderful <3

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  32. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 9:23 PM

    "Trust me with your secret humiliations,"

    That's a girly friendship thing, for sure.

    Damyanti @Daily(w)rite
    Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2013

    Twitter: @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 4, 2013 at 5:06 AM

      Ha! I don't know. I think that when people allow themselves to be imperfect with one another, they grow closer - gender doesn't really matter.

      Delete
  33. Rosalind AdamApril 4, 2013 at 12:40 AM

    Tragic topic well handled. When will they find a cure?

    Rosalind Adam is Writing in the Rain

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  34. KellyApril 4, 2013 at 12:53 AM

    Poignant. A very revealing look at a somewhat esoteric topic.

    Beautiful, but tragic.

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  35. Sue ElvisApril 4, 2013 at 12:55 AM

    It helps when we explore difficult experiences with words. I would love to be able to express myself with poetry as well as you. Sadly I don't seem to have your talent. Thank you for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 4, 2013 at 5:07 AM

      You should try, Sue! I'm sure you are better than you think.

      Delete
  36. HistorySleuthApril 4, 2013 at 1:27 AM

    What a touching poem. I like the idea of a different poem for each letter. Good post.

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  37. mooderinoApril 4, 2013 at 2:39 AM

    lovely poem.

    mood
    Moody Writing

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  38. baygirl32April 4, 2013 at 5:42 AM

    Wow - is all I can say really - lovely

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  39. Beth CampApril 4, 2013 at 7:43 AM

    This poem resonates for all I've known who've struggled with cancer, a truly beautiful poem that challenges the disease itself.

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  40. A month of....BlogApril 4, 2013 at 8:11 AM

    Beautiful poem that made me cry... I am looking forward to the rest of the A - Z poems.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 4, 2013 at 12:35 PM

      Is it so wrong that I'm thrilled to have moved you to tears? What kindness it is to connect to strangers.

      Delete

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