Warrior Lovers

We learned last week my wife Kathy has cancer — our fight has begun!

 

H ope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul
and sings the tune without the words
and never stops – at all –


”Vigil” — by: Laura Makabresku

Emily understood well here
the strength of a soul’s resolve

and yes, my dear sweet Kathy
cancer has made the foolish choice
to choose you as a foe…
because you are insurmountable

it will never break
your face of courage
but smashed will surely be
any face of fear


photo — by: iloveblsck3

and I will be your soldier
through it all
my love for you
will be your strongest armor…
it will never fail

we will set fire to the moon
if it is we must
to bring the victor’s torch
into this darkness


photo — by: Justin Peters

and we will burn fiercely
with the fire of love
and this ugly perverse beast
will be consumed to ash

when this most inconceivable campaign
comes to it’s undeniable conclusion
you will have beaten this beast
and you will be its master

neither you nor I
know how to lose
only how to fight
and fight we will
— ferociously

what a fool cancer has been
to choose you as a foe!

*
~ the opening stanza is quoted from Emily Dickinson ~

rob kistner © 2023

Mo’ Po’tree at: The Sunday Muse

 


30 thoughts on “Warrior Lovers”

  1. How lucky she is to have you in her corner. Together you will run the gauntlet….It is a hard road but with your loving support it will make all the difference. If it is breast cancer there are a lot of advances that have been achieved in the last few years so she has a good chance of recovery.. This is going to be a testing time for you both. It’s not easy but you have each other and believe me that makes a world of difference and you also have poetry friends. Prayers for you both !
    Courage mon vieux !

    1. Thank you so much Rall. It is in her lymph nodes. She has had a throat scope, a CT scan, and a full blood analysis so far. Next week a P.E.T. scan. The Oncologist and the ENT surgeon want to see the results of that scan before they determine the procedure(s) ahead. We had three different appointments last week. I have been all wrapped up in my stuff the past couple years, and in the midst, my wife, 16 years my junior, gets fucking cancer. It is just wrong! But my bullshit goes on the shelf, and now she and I fight together for her! I feel helpless, but I will do all I can to help. Now it is as a driver and a listener, but this old man is ready for whatever role is ahead.

  2. Wonderfully done, Rob! You practically took it by the horns and waged a strong fight-back. When the spirit is buoyed by the strong support, then determination will be much easier to control to face it head-on. There is no other way and you had taken the decision to fight it all the way – that the battle is already half won. Keep at it! There are two of you, it makes it 50% lighter on each one of you. Wishing both of you the best for the future!

    Hank

    1. Thank you Hank. Kathy and I have manifested a number of things in our life together. Certainly a cure for her cancer is not beyond realization — and we are both focused meaningfully on such.

  3. O Gee, Rob. The “c” word is a terrible enemy for which fight we must. We have dear friends who have gone both ways. Wish for the best and pray a lot. You told it well and I learned of Kathy’s side of the marriage, we pray for the both of your situations. My dad lived nine years after Mom died. He always was telling that he should have gone first, not Mom. I told him several times that God liked his work and desired to keep him on. Evidence of that? He was retired (time) and had a pickup truck (resources) for his neighbor senior’s commodity delivering and as an unpaid worker in the county museum, to haul stuff donated, etc. (willing). He hadn’t been thinking along those lines until our talks. He lived to 97, Mom died at age 88. Mrs. Jim is 10 years younger than I am. We’ve been retired, her since 1999 and me since 2001 and have done all the things we needed to do and most of the things we’ve wanted to do. Anytime, but we do like living.
    ..

  4. “cancer has made the foolish choice
    to choose you as a foe”
    OMG your words today spell LOVE in so many forms.
    Praying in Jesus name that God grant to you and your wife victory in every day to come????

    Much?love

  5. This poem holds the beauty and strength of the love you both share. This stirred my heart and tears my friend. God bless you both and many prayers for healing and strength
    ????????????

  6. I can feel the ferocious strength in your words, Rob. You and Kathy “got this” in every possible way. Sending energy, love and support to you both.

  7. Rob, I am so sorry you have received such a challenge. But you are warriors of love indeed and your wife will draw strength with you by her side. One day at a time, you will make this journey. Such a powerful poem. Fierce love.

  8. Rob, terrible news about Kathy. I know you and she will stand strong together against it. Your resolve is clear. {{{{HUGS}}}} Please give Kathy a hug from me also.

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