Cancer, My Identity.

A short piece on my new identifier, Cancer.

Hushed whispers, people who stare

At the man without any hair

Skin transparent, ghostly white

But their eyes still hold on tight

 

What do they think of me?

Cancer signs show visibly

No, not the sign of my birth

But a telling sign of my curse

 

Pity scrawled along their face

Thinking of my resting place

Don’t give a time limit to me

I will fight this, I’ll be freed

 

Strangers looking, slanted head

Looking at me like I’m dead

It’s okay people I’m still here

I lost my eyebrows but don’t you fear

 

Surely,they'll grow back in due time

And next time would you be so kind

To just treat me normally

I'm still human, can't you see

 

…Cancer, my new identity…

Author's Note

Feedback on any of my work is always welcomed, I love learning and improving :)

Reviews

[Muse]

I hate..yet I am drawn to reading poems about this horrid disease. I am all too familiar with it...even had my own little scare a year ago. I think the pity you see is just a natural knee-jerk reaction. One can't begin to fathom the pain of being there...yet when you see pain and suffering like this in another human being...you imagine being in their shoes...but only for a fraction of a second...just long enough to question your own mortality...then the shoes begin to feel uncomfortable....we don't know what else to do...but just stare at the evidence...the lack of hair...pale skin...it is normal for humans to stare at what they fear...what they question....in a sick sort of way....when people stare....we are paying fate our respects to our own insecurities.

[DJ]

That is an interesting way to look at it, I guess I never really thought of it like that before. I knew that it was natural of course, but I never thought about them contemplating their own fate and mortality. Thank you for your point of view. I'm sorry that you are familiar with this... it is a horrible disease that's for sure. One which I am battling and hopefully one day, you will see a poem on surviving it :) Thanks for the review and for stopping by.

[Muse]

you already are a survivor...living with it...is surviving it!

[DJ]

Thank you my friend :)

[Ravyne Hawke]

I felt the same way, Cairo while I was on chemo and all the hair on my body fell out and people looked at me like I was alien. I am sure I looked different, but I was still me on the inside and I didn't want their pity. I am so happy to see you writing about this dis~ease.. writing it out helps. I tried to avoid it, but a couple of times it crept into my poetry. Hang in there!

[DJ]

Thanks Lori. Yeah I know what you mean. For the first time since my diagnoses I'm accepting it, I never talk about it but letting out the emotions and thoughts through writing really does help and is my own avenue for purging (i'm not a good talker). Thanks!

[Angel Bella]

I can say one thing about this piece " Good and sad". It does reveal the title thoroughly.

[DJ]

Thank you Bella :)

[Traci]

A very powerful well written piece, Cairo. Unfortunately it is in people's human nature to stare. Thank you for reminding all there is a big difference between sympathy and empathy. Well done.

[DJ]

Thank you Traci :) Yeah it is only natural to stare, its understandable, I don't blame people. Sometimes it is just nice to feel normal and not be reminded when out and about. Thank you for your kind words :)

[Traci]

My mother battled breast cancer and years later ovarian cancer so I do understand the desire to feel normal without being stared at all the time. Much love to you, Cairo, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers as you continue to battle this disease. Stay strong.

[DJ]

Oh I'm so sorry... Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. I really appreciate it.

[Hana Saemon]

Hushed whispers, people who stare
At the man without any hair

Strangers looking, slanted head
Looking at me like I’m dead

this is a great piece. im sure many cancer patients, and even those with other kinds of illnesses will be able to relate to this. many sympathize, but not empathize. well written.

[DJ]

Thank you :) Yes and there is a huge difference between sympathy and empathy, cheers for the comment and support. All the best to you and your partner my friend :D

[Hana Saemon]

thank you! and to you too! :)