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
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 !
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.
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
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.
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.
..
We will fight it Jim in every way available to us.
Kathy and you are in my deepest heart and thoughts, Rob.
Yours,
David
Thank you so much David, we genuinely appreciate it. 🙂
“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
Thank you Gillena, and thank you for the thoughts and prayers — much appreciated! 🙂
Powerful poem–wishing you both strength and healing.
Thank you Chrissa… 🙂
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
????????????
Thank you very much Carrie appreciate the kind words. We’re ready to fight the fight and we will do a positive resolution.
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.
Thank you Helen… 🙂 Kath and I are both highly competitive and fighters by nature, so cancer is gonna get an ass kickin’.
Much love to you both I know you have the strength to carry on with the battle <3
Thank you Angela. Kathy and I are fighters, and our family are powerful.
a RAWR! if ever there was one.
Cancer fucked with the wrong woman when it attacked Kathy. My wife is the beast in this battle, and myself and our whole family will support to beat this!
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.
Thank you Sherry… 🙂 One step, then they next — all the way…
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.
We are united, and thank you Lisa… 🙂
So powerful we are when we need to be!
Well-crafted and perfectly played with the images. Victory will be yours! <3
Thank you Susan. My wife is a warrior, and I stand beside her to victory over this insidious beast.
I wish your wife the best in her fight against cancer. Your poem is a wonderful gift to her.
Thank you O… 🙂
Sending my good wishes your way, Rob. Kathy is lucky to have you,
and together you’ll fight the foe.
Thank you Sara…