Small Battles: Big Wars
We
would rather f-bomb
or recite angry litanies
of forbidden witchery
than speak the word: cancer.
It’s when few of one’s
trillions of cells run amok,
it’s a war fought with
knives, rads, and poisons.
Look both ways to see your own beginning and end.
Mind the gaps, fight the battle, die with dignity.
John Updike, best known, perhaps, as a novelist, was a poet. This short poem of his is one of my favorites regarding life and death. He died of lung cancer in 2009.
Our Literary Journey 
Perfectly penned, Sir! That is exactly how I would describe cancer.
As for the addition of John Updike’s poem… Wow.
I have to thank you for continually adding to my poetry growth 🙂
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Thank you, Dale.
You are welcome.
I plan to attend an open mic poetry reading this afternoon. I may read that Updike poem.
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It is a wonderful poem. Thank you again for introducing me to it.
Just finishing up mine 😉
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A thought-provoking response to the prompt, Bill, well done 🙂
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Thank you, Sunra.
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A tremendous response this week Bill!
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Thank you, Peter.
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*applause!*
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Thank you, David.
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❤ ~ well deserved, Sir
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🙂
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