Hope

Never give up on hope.

hope is the last eye lash left
when you are bereft of
all other hair on your head
when it died overnight
after the second chemo
did its best

when you stare at your
reflection in mirror glass and
don’t recognize yourself
because the cancer has
invaded every part
of your body

so you take your mascara
from your cosmetic purse and
with its wand you build up
layers to give some
definition

to that one lonely lash
because surrender
is not a word that resides
in your dictionary

Reviews

[Stuart Munro]

Great poem Chris , I’ve been lucky , I’ve just got a chemo cut , or crew cut , so I’m looking Government normal , in fact it suits me ,
Hope your ok , nice to hear from you again , this poem is giving me strength and support while I have cancer , have a great day

[Chris Shaw]

I did my spell of chemo a long time ago Stuart. You never forget it. Keep going. Pleased you enjoyed the poem and have a good day yourself. All good here. Take care of yourself.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Oops my manners!! A big thank you for checking in :)

[Stuart Munro]

I’ve done 12 sessions , Chris , now I’m having a next week scan , to see what’s going on , fingers crossed
So maybe a rest from it , all the best Stuart ,

[Chris Shaw]

Good luck !

[Stuart Munro]

Thanks Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

No surrender, no surrender. Literally or figuartively the power in this piece is like that of the last hair that will not disappear without a fight.
Cancer is such a vicious adversary.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear J. Yes a vicious adversary. I appreciate you.

Chris

[Gee]

Good morning Christine.
Reminds me so much of the much missed Deb and her stubborn battle with secondary breast cancer, a battle lost but lost with a defiance that belied the pain and suffering she went through. Always glam, right to the very end.Hope all is wel! In Berks

[Chris Shaw]

Defiance in the face of, and no doubt clinging on with everything she had. I know how you miss her Gee. Good to see you, best wishes to you and yours. Thanks for your visit.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

In the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, St. Paul honored hope as one of the three main virtues. He did not give an example of it, but nothing he might have come up with could have exceeded what you have given us here. I was deeply moved by it.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous John for your thoughts here. All good wishes.

Chris

[Lorry]

Beautifully captured Chris.
I have never known that particular evil, but have seen an uncle slowly waste away with it, as well as a few friends fight the hell out of it, so can only say that your words ring so true in my thoughts that my head is now clanking.
I'm sure more will say it better, but all a poet can do is try to relate their words to others.
Job done!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lorry for your thoughtful review. I appreciate you. Hope your Tuesday is a good one.
read moreThank you Lorry for your thoughtful review. I appreciate you. Hope your Tuesday is a good one.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

I can'y even imagine what it is like having cancer.A really wonderful poem

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dale for your encouragement. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

That was profound Chris. One eyelash. Hope.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Shelley. I appreciate you. Have a good Tuesday.

Chris

[nadia dmitri]

Wow this is a great piece. I love when people take one instance and apply a widespread poetic meaning, you have done this very well and made an impactful piece. Great job :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you nadia for your encouraging
review. Much appreciated.

Chris

[DIVYA]

Wow...some people are just so brave. This is the hardest battle in someone's life and she's putting on such a courageous front! Whoever inspired this poem is a great soul. Dear Chris, your words are such a powerful tribute to her and so moving. How grateful we must be for every blessing. Kudos my friend!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you DIVYA,, your reviews are very much appreciated. I thank you kindly for leaving your thoughts here. Have a beautiful day.

Chris

[DIVYA]

You're most welcome, dear Chris!

[light and ashes]

This is heartbreaking......

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for reading this poem and leaving your thoughts. Have a good Tuesday.

read moreThank you so much for reading this poem and leaving your thoughts. Have a good Tuesday.

Chris

[light and ashes]

You too.

you're welcome.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Chris,

This is everything a great poem should be: it is honest and uses everyday language to tell a profound message wrapped inside a small everyday activity as an extended metaphor. Quite brilliantly done. Congratulations

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Belated thank yous Winston. Somehow I read your response but failed to send my thanjs. Have a grand weekend.

Chris