poets corner

Poets Corner

I would like to invite you to email me ( please give your name), with any verse or prayer you may wish to share with others.
Maybe one of your favourites, or one that you have penned yourself !

They say that " Poetry and prayer is good for the soul", and reflects our character, of which I have to agree.
(Please take the time and read the verses below).

(by Laurie A.Hutchins)

Breast Cancer


Breast cancer is a scary word 
That never wants to be heard
you find that lump
and go in a slump
always in the back of your mind
you will find
another one even bigger
it will trigger
you all the time
scared to even look 
you feel like an open book
you only have one breast
it puts you to the test
you can never rest
people stare at you
you just say boo
you don't feel whole
you want to crawl in a hole
so you can be alone
and say why me........

(By Diana Kemp)

A Place To Heal


We all have an angel who walks by our side,
When things get us down we use her as our guide.
When the road we travel is dark as the night,
It's the Angel God gave us who shows us the light.

(By Bea Haber-Hollander aka Dolly)

A Place To Heal


A place to rest, A place for tears,
A place to remember all the years,
A place to listen to a song bird sing,
A place to hear the bell chimes ring.

A place to not ever pretend,
A place to grow, laugh and mend,
A place to have courage, faith and hope,
A place to love again and cope.

A place to look up at the heavens above,
A place to have prayers and God's love,
A place to enjoy..a moment to steal,
A place to have peace, a place to heal.

Copyright(C)2003

(By Bea Haber-Hollander)

The Volumes


Life is a story in volumes three,
The past, the present and yet to be,
The First is finished and laid away,
The second we are reading day by day,
The third and last of volumes three,
Is locked from sight..God keeps the key.

(written during 6 months of taxol for mets)
Denise Kandle

Eyelashes


Do you know what it is like to cry without your eyelashes?
It is not what I imagined it to be at all.

My tears get squeezed out without any lashes to guide 
them on their way without the usual protection.

My eyelashes used to hug my tears on their way down my 
cheeks.
My eyelashes are just one more luxury cancer borrowed.

Some think it's no big deal these mere tiny droplets of salt 
water. 
However, for me I am standing behind a waterfall.

(Written 2yrs after being diagnosed)
By Jo Fidler in Arizona 2/4/03

"DIAGNOSIS BREAST CANCER"


I'm sorry dear, please sit down
My doctor said with a frown.
His sadness was plainly written
On his face for me to see.

I'm almost certain this is cancer,
But lets do some more tests
He said smiling his best.

His compassion was great as
He told me the truth
Gently compelling and never aloof.

"This is not a death sentence"
He said so resolute.
You can beat this
But you have to be strong
You will be put to the test,
And the test will be long.

And then I thought
This Doc is the best....

I stumbled out the door
And into my car
I was all alone and numb,
but the house wasn't far.

Then in spite of my horror and fear
When down my cheek slid a tear
I remembered the greatest of all healers was near.
The Lord Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead
and healed the blind.
Then courage I began to find

Surely He (Jesus) could heal
me.  His gentle touch would
deliver me......and my faith
In Him would set me free!

(In memory of my Friend and Big Sister Bridget Grace Forsythe)
Julie Waves

Once I Was Afraid


Once I was afraid,
Of darkness, and of fading.
Once when I needed guidance,
You showed me some mischances.
And now that I’m alone,
I wish you hadn’t been flesh and bone.
I need more of what you’ve known.
I need your help, I’m not yet grown
Once again I am afraid.
Now that it’s gone, the life you’d made.
I feel so empty, you’re not here.
Things are hazy, I can’t see clear.
I want to see you smile just once more,
Before my tears fall to the floor.
These past few days I feel I’m blind.
You’ve gone and left me behind.
Part of me is missing deep inside.
She won’t come back because I’ve cried.
She won’t come back because she’s died.
The fairytales said she would, they lied.
I promise I’ll watch over your mom and dad.
I’ll remember the good times we had.
When it’s time to say goodbye,
I’ll try real hard not to cry.
I’ll watch them lay you in the ground,
I’ll try not to make a sound.
Just for you I’ll try to smile.
It’s just going to be hard for a little while.

(Dedicated to my sister Elizabeth and my good friend Patt, both of
whom are breast cancer survivors. To all survivors, their friends and families....)
Laura

ANGELS

Angels are the guardians of hope and wonder,
The keepers of magic and dreams.
Angels watch over you wherever you go,
Keeping each day perfect
And promising a bright new tomorrow.
Wherever there is love
An angel is flying by.
Your guardian angel knows you inside and out
And loves you just the way you are.
Angels keep it simple and always travel light.
Remember to leave space in your relationships
So the angels have room to play.
Your guardian angel helps you find a place
When you feel there is no place to go.
Whenever you feel lonely,
A special angel drops in for tea.
Angels are with you every step of the way
And help you soar with amazing grace.
After all, we are all angels in training;
All we have to do is spread our wings and fly.

In Memory of Jeletta Burba
March 22, 1928 ~ May 4, 2001
Sue Kahl


If Roses Grew In Heaven
Lord please pick a bunch for me,
Place them in my Mother's arms
and tell her they're from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
but there's an ache within my heart
that will never go away.

ODE TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
Ray Kissler

Here I sit so clean and shiny,
Scrubbed and clean from Head to Hinny.
I sit here afraid, split gown all in place.
The doctor comes in, a frown on his face.
He tells me "don't worry" as he slips on his glove.
I know right away, this is no back rub.
He pushes and prods each little bump,
I inwardly pray, please don't find a lump.
He works right along his manner so sure,
Then says with a smile, "We may have a cure."
I then get laid down on a bed of cold steel,
Radiated till I think that I'm the next meal.
Before I turn brown, or glow in the dark,
The doctor comes in happy as a lark.
Tells me to get up, I can go home,
Continue my life as if nothing is wrong.
I jump and I shout, and run out with glee,
Forgetting the world can see the backside of me.

I'M A CHEMO GLOW WORM
Ray Kissler

I'm a chemo glow worm,
Glimmer, glimmer.
Turn out the lights,
And I shimmer, shimmer.
I'm never afraid in the dark of night,
Where ever I go I am a light.
When ever I see that my light grows dim,
I go back to the hospital and get charged up again.

For those who have had one of "those" check ups

When Someone Dies
Sharon Scott ( sassy)

When somebody dies, a cloud turns into
an angel, and flies up to tell
to put another flower on a pillow.

A bird gives the message back to
the world, and sings a silent prayer
that makes the rain cry.
People dis-appear, but they never really go away.

The spirits up there put the sun to
bed, wake up grass, and spin the
earth in dizzy circles. Sometimes you
can see them dancing in a cloud during
the day-time, when they're supposed
to be sleeping.

They paint the rain-bows and also the sunsets
and make waves splash and tug at the tide.
They toss shooting stars and listen to wishes.

And when they sing wind-
songs, they whisper to us, don't
miss me too much. The view is nice
and I'm doing just fine.

I HUNGER FOR THY HEALING TOUCH
By Jo in Arizona on April 18, 2001
(5 ½ months after modified radical mastectomy 5 weeks after last chemo treatment)


Though sadness and pain wash over me,
I will remember His name.

Oh Holy one please give me strength and
Courage to survive the beastly disease
Of Breast Cancer.  God promised us that
Forever and ever He would be the same,
And that He will never leave us nor forsake
Us.

Please ease my pain and hold me close as
The side effects of chemo treatments
Engulf me.  I reach my arms up to you to
Hold me Close and let this be over.

I have lost a part of me, a part of my body is
Now gone and I mourn for it, there is an
Emptiness where it once was, a part of me which
Once nourished my sweet babies I will miss.

Lord, I want so much to live and to watch
My children and grandchildren grow, to watch
Them explore the world and the beauty of each new
Day, Oh Lord for these things I pray.

Please Lord, please let me stay,
just a little longer,

Although, so much I want to be in your healing
Presence, I am not ready yet to leave them Lord,
they need Me so much.

Oh Lord, please heal my body and make me whole
Again,

"I hunger now for Thy Healing touch"

Flower Power
by Keri Jopplin-Barnett

Flowers are love and beauty in death,
Baskets and bows, laced with babys breath.

Bouquets or wreaths it’s a lasting measure;
To receive them is grand, a thrill, and a pleasure!

Expression in sympathy, anguishes and sorrow.
For a joyous occasion, today or t’morrow!
A symbol of love, an apology of regret,
A gesture in thought for someone just met!
Be it for grief, amour or joy,
A wedding or funeral-baby girl or boy.
Mostly in death we look at its virtue;

“The flowers are beautiful”! Isn’t it true?
The meanings are vast, so much emotion.
Pick you some up when you get the notion.

A mixture of purpose in that of a flower.
So many relations just look at its power!

To a Cancer Mastectomy Patient
by Darrell J. Stoddard, copyright 1996

How like a bird
with a broken wing.
Your body was racked
with never ending pain.

God granted me
the ancient healers art
to ease your pain
and balm your troubled heart.

For you to soar
above the blackened clouds
and learn this secret
hid till man could fly

that on the other side
of darkest gloom
still shines the sun
and whiteness as the softest down.

Thunder storms with lightning bolts
that spawn the whirling winds
which tear and twist
all matter down below

Above are things of beauty
soaring up white billowing splendor
even to 60,000 feet.
I'd show you, if we could fly.


Is the measure of your creation
to be alone on Earth?
Do you remember Heaven?
Do you remember birth?

Was it meant for you to fall?
Aren't you supposed to fly?
How can you still be happy?
Why is it that you sing?

My precious little bird
with a painful broken wing.

Had you not fallen
I could not touch your softness
or feel your beating heart
but only watch you from afar

Admire, revere, and marvel
at the beauty of your flight
but never hold and cherish,
embrace and serve, or love.

We can remove the thorns
from the roses, but
Even God will not cast out all pain
For there is no joy without sorrow
There can be no flowers without rain

MOM
This poem was written by my daughter, Melissa, the first year I was diagnosed. Lisa

You were there when I needed you,
Always a hand to hold,
When I wanted an ear to listen,
Or a warm hug when it was cold,
You cleaned up my scrapes and bruises,
When I fell off my bike, on my knee,
You told me it was okay to cry,
When I didn't listen, and got stung by that bee,
In your eyes I was always helpless,
Always needing you near,
To fight the monsters under the bed, 
To chase away by fears,
But now I know you need me, 
You want my hand to hold,
And if you want someone to listen,
I know I must be bold,
There may not be any bruises,
No scrapes, or bikes, or bees,
But there's a thing called cancer,
A horrible and deadly disease,
I'll always be that helpless girl,
Always wanting you near,
But not to fight the monsters,
That's not my greatest fear,
My greatest fear is cancer
It could easily take you away,
I know I couldn't survive,
Without you for one day.

SURVIVOR
This poem was written by my daughter Ann Keravich on the occasion of my first Anniversary. Kay


Roses are red
Violets are blue
You have a new basket
coming to you

The Horizon of Hope
Is on it's way
It will be here
And this I say

Representing Hope
For you and for me
Display it proudly
For all to see

We know last year
Really did suck
But now we're good
We've got the luck

Good news we have
That came this year
Reason for us to
Stand and cheer

So mommy dear
Enjoy this day
1 Year behind
You're on your way

Your daughty loves you
I hope you know
Even though I don't
Often tell you so!

My Feelings Kay


At first I cried a lot,
then I cried a lot and laughed a little,
then I cried a little and laughed a little
and now I cry a little and laugh a lot.

In Memory Of My Brother Robert Bowman Tina Evans

So straight and tall and handsome
is how I will remember you
Not the frailty of your body after
what this disease put you through

The years we had together
will remain forever in my heart
and I feel you are here with us
even though we are apart

Why the good Lord had to take you   
I will never understand,
I guess that up in heaven
they needed another gentle man

Not a day goes by dear Robert
that I do not shed a tear
for the loss of my dear brother,
and wish you were still here

Our lives will go on Robert,
we have alot of things to do
but things will never be the same,
because we can't do them with you.

Missing and Always Loving You - Tina

PINK RIBBONS Carol French

What a precious little girl
Standing shyly over there
Adorned with ruffles and lace
With pink ribbons in her hair.

She's just a young child
With many years to live,
Rosy cheeks, twinkling eyes,
And so much love to give.

She grows a little older,
A teen without a care.
It's long hair in ponytails
That hold pink ribbons there.

She lives her life so busily,
Rushing here and rushing there.
Her time packed full of fun things,
Living life without a care.

The years pass by so swiftly,
A career and family for which to care.
Now she has her own little girl
With pink ribbons in her hair.

She knows there are important things
That she really needs to do,
Like breast self-examinations
And regular check-ups too.

She went to see her doctor
And heard these words that chilled the air,
"I am so very sorry,
But I'm afraid there's cancer there."

She took the news as anyone would,
Then gathered her dignity.
She looked at him across the desk
And said, "This will not beat me."

The months went slowly by,
And chemo took its toll.
It ravaged her body,
But couldn't touch her valiant soul.

A few years have come and gone,
And she's as strong as ever.
God has surely blessed her.
She's what's known as a survivor.

As she travels on through life,
There are pink ribbons everywhere.
But now they're not just pretty things
To adorn a child's hair.

They are a symbol of faith and courage
That she and others have shown,
Pink ribbons to remind her
That she is not alone.

So when you see pink ribbons,
Remember why they're there
And silently whisper
A special little prayer.

Please God, take away this dreaded thing
And make us all aware.
The only thing we need pink ribbons for
Is to adorn a small child's hair.

POST CHEMO KARMA Betsy
written by friend at work when the chemotherapy was finished

Out, damned toxin
Sick stuff be gone.
You've served me quite nicely.
But now travel on.

Away to my kidneys and liver and bone.
Your work is completed
So find a new home.

Take all bad things with you
All oddly shaped cells
All forms of derangement
(take the fat cells as well.)

Leave no trace behind you.
Except a clean slate
With healthy, nice marrow
and leave me feel great.

Now red cells!  White cells!
You may replicate
(I admit I've been feeling a quart low as late!)

Please flood all my systems with healthy pre-cursors!
I'm ready for better and quite through with worser.
I see my cheeks pinker
I see my smile stronger
My step is much lighter
My hair is much longer

I'll need no more napping
And that old washed out feeling
It's time for this person
to be thinking on healing.

HAIR LOSS Betsy
written for me by a friend at work to commemorate the rapid loss of hair

The trauma to my follicles
is not yet absolute
My coiffe is off
Should I cut more off?
A "Kojak" might be cute!

The wisps and waves of bye-gone days
are now quite obsolete
My head feels lighter
Or, to say it 'polite-er'
My face is my head - complete!

To go unshorn
should not be bourne!
I feel so liberated
I'm cool, I'm hip
(Please mind the quip)
But pony-tails are dated

So I'll be me
Small, bald and free
This wisdom will light upon you
My beauty, so rare, ain't in my hair.
Beauty lives in, not on you.

STAR SO BRIGHT Michele Mott

Twinkel,twinkelstar so bright ,
Filling up the sky with light.
Do you see me watching you?
Dreaming dreams as I often do.

Do you hear my pain and hunger,
Snatched away on waves of thunder?
Do you see the tears I cry
As you slowly pass me by?
How bright and warm you make the night
To melt away my cold and fright

Now take me on the winds of dreams
To float  among the  silver beams
And wrap me up in angels wings
Softly as the planets sing,  
To fill my lonly heart with rest
Tucked saftely in the eagles nest

Until another day dawns bright
Washing away the shreds of night,
No more to see your lovely face
Till once again I reach this place.

COURAGE Joel S. Copeland

I saw a woman
Her name was Courage, and she had no hair
She shone like a mirror, dressed in a simple bathing suit
She breathed the Lake Tahoe air

She was young, with a sweet face, body shapely
The suffering she had known
Had etched her gentle soul
Like the sands where the waves splashed 
And the wind had blown

It took so much more courage
Than I have ever dreamed or pretended to have
For that she cherished every moment, alive
Reveling in her battle against
A heartless enemy, unseen

I stuttered a few words of encouragement
To ease her pain, yet
When she looked into my eyes she made me see
I was the one in torment, knowing
I had not faced my cowardly soul
As she had
And pitted it against the pending doom
Like the last rays of sunshine glaring fierce and bright
Against the unrelenting night

She stood looking into the face of death
Unafraid to live
I could only believe that death would come to her 
Most obsequious, apologetic
As a gardener harvesting the brightest, loveliest rose

She wasn't angry, I think
Or even resigned to her fate
She simply loved, with her eyes and her soul
All that she, and every one of us
Is so privileged to see
Another day in our lives

This poem was written on the event of my mastectomy- first verse is where I am in life, second is the surgery and the cancer. The last verse is hope.-October 12, 1999 Janet (tandi)

She was autumn
the space between brilliance
gray chill and leaf mold.

Her beauty was sliced
by the crystal breath of the dragon
and the stars sank behind her eyes.
She drifted away in fragments of amber and gold
Diminished in the darkness of her time

‘Swift as a spirit hastening to his task
of glory and of good. The Sun sprang forth"
banished the darkness which held the shadow
of the beast

TODAY Cassie

Today, I feel like some kind of freak a bald circus midget on a high wire reaching out to the comfort of strangers who recognize their own kind

Today, I look beautiful As I stare at my reflection And see life through these eyes Travelling down the many roads of my scars I see the path less travelled

Today, I am alive Breathing in that which is sacred like a near dead animal that refuses to die And despite it's own good intentions Survives to embrace tomorrow

THE JOURNEY

(written by Nick Kaiser - dedicated to his wife Beth)

Maureen Murphy

There is a journey, there is a path.
There is a reason we don't look back.
There is a plan, some sort of grand design.
There is a purpose, there is a time.

There is a spirit, there is a soul,
There is a limit to what we control.
There is a question that someone should ask.
Given the answer, are we up to the task?

Some turn to Zion and some turn to Zen
Some turn away and never turn back again.
Some seize the moment and make it their own.
Some just go it alone.

Some want assurance to risk the reward.
Some need acceptance that this is the score.
Some seek a beacon to show them the way
To turn the darkness into day.

Options are offered, choices are weighed,
Methods are measured, prices are paid.
Trust is extended, faith is revealed.
Hope perseveres, doubt is concealed.

Courage is tested, the battle is drawn,
Strength wears away as the struggle wears on.
Troops rally 'round to bolster the weak
Nobody carries the flag of defeat.

Some turn to Zion and some turn to Zen
Some turn away and never turn back again.
Some seize the moment and make it their own
Some just go it alone.

Some want assurance to risk the reward
Some need acceptance that this is the score.
Some have a beacon to show them the way
Turning the darkness into day.

I will not give in, I will not retreat.
I will not concede,nor admit defeat.
I will rise again, I will learn to fly
I will spread these wings, I will touch the sky.

MORNING GLORY FLOWERS
(dedicated to her mom)
Sandi Vander Sluis

A trellis full of morning glories as blue as the sky above
a child sitting on the steps
basking in her mother's love

If I had one wish
I would be there again
relishing every moment
as I should of back then

Unlike the morning glory
that lives for a short time
you live forever in me
Mother..always on my mind

One day you'll meet me
your arms open wide
for heaven is forever
once again by your side.

THE LOOKING GLASS
(on going bald)
Janet Gordon (tandi)

I place my hand upon my head
and look into the glass
a pale, frail forlorn soul
curiously stares back
and when I tilt my head a bit
she mimics what I do
she peers intensely back at me
'My God, I wonder who?'

She has no hair and cannot grin
blue eyes did fade to gray
but still she mimics every move
I wish she'd go away.

I BROUGHT MY FATHER WITH ME
In Memory of: Homer Stanley Walls
May 22 1928 - June 2 1999
Sue Kahl

There are some ways I'm just like him
In some ways he was just like me
And sometimes when the mirror's dim
His face is clear to see

Tonight the winds of heaven
Blow the stars across the sky
I brought my father with me
I couldn't say goodbye

MISSING MAMMA

Christine McClimans (Corky Ferguson)
The sun came up this morning
It wasn't very bright
My dark mood casts a shadow
It's hard to see the light.
We all have just one Mother
And,now her life on Earth is done
The emptiness and loss I feel
Makes it hard to see the sun.
Tomorrow is a brand new day
May the pain and sadness lighten
I will remember all her love
And,then the sky will brighten.
Gone is not forgotten
Her love remains behind
She's traveled in a new direction
Love knows no space or time.
I will always love her
She will care for me from above
She will send me starlight and rainbows
To remind me of her love.

DADDY
In memory of Earl A.Doddridge Sept.14,1905-Oct.19,1988
Christine McClimans (Corky Ferguson)
Waking in the morning
I couldn't hardly wait
To start a new adventure
Never wanted to be late.

Tiny little feet
Running after you
Holding your hand
All the day thru.

Riding on the tractor
In the bright hot sun
Plowing in the fields
What a day of fun!

Playing in the barnyard
With a piglet or two
Didn't matter what we did
As long as I was with you.

Growing up with you
Was my heart's delite.
Wish you were still here
To hug me "goodnight".

You were my hero
Not like all the rest
When it came to fathers
You always were the best.

You were a teacher
Like none I've ever known
Teaching that reaping comes
From the seeds that are sown.

You were my best pal
My first real friend
You remained that to me
Until the very end.

You were the first man
That taught me about love
One pure and simple
Sent from God above.

You were the man
To all others I would compare
You placed the stars in my eyes...
My husband keeps them there.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Sharon Scott(sassyl)
God has given me a place on earth
To be here for a while,
I hope that as I'm passing through
I will make somebody SMILE.

I want to make Life easier
For all the ones I meet.
I ask God for His Blessings,
To the strangers on the street.

I hope I'll never fail a child If I can help somehow,
I want to be as generous
As my resources will allow.

And when My Life on is Earth is done
It will be my final Plea:
Let someone, somewhere think or say,
"YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE TO ME"

SEND MY FRIEND AN ANGEL
Christine McClimans (Corky Ferguson)
Please send my friend an angel
Send her one of mine
A loving and caring one
The best that you can find.

Please send my friend an angel
And trust her with its care
Someone or something for her to love
And to always be there.

Please send my friend an angel
One to help her fill her days
With hope,love,and laughter
And the warmth of sunshine rays.

Please send my friend an angel
You know she gave me one of mine
Please send my friend and an angel
A true friend's hard to find.

THE NIGHT ALONE
Bob Elliott (Ancient Soul)
Contemplation of life, this night alone
Quietness fills me to overflowing
What is known, is being dethroned
Giving in to the knowledge redrawing.

It is times like this, when by myself
I understand the realities of solitude
Loneliness is a single book on a shelf
Falling, not propped up, no latitude.

A book by it self can be a good read
But never all-cognitive content contained
It may speak of truths, but only a seed
Not in one, is all ascertained.

It has been said, in many years past
'As stone sharpens stone, man sharpens man'
Your book beside mine, fills the shelf, at last
No longer alone, a wondrous plan.

SOMEONE SPECIAL
Eva-Lena Hartman
I cherish your caring
and all your sweet ways,
that give so much brightness
to all kinds of days.

And I guess that I knew
from the first time we met,
You were somebody special I would never forget.

BEAUTY's SUNSET Jay Toledo

Beauty is described in sunset of crimson gold
never so bold,
adorning her simplicities
never her extremities,
contentions do not arise
shining over her liquid surprise,
above the rolling hills
on earth's coastal corvette
she's alive!

CHEMO Beck

The river runs through the memories and drowns the sound of pain,
Time stands still to honor the feelings that remain.

The thoughts that bring the heart to know and shadowing the mind
and all we have come to trust will be gone in time.

We cast the words into the wind and watch as dreams blow by and wipe away the fears with every tear we cry.

TO THE ANGELS AT FIN Sue Friedman

Cancer, like a vacuum,
was sucking out my joy and hope,
enfolding and enclosing me in an envelope of despair and fear
In the distance I saw a steady glow,
heard a chorus growing closer
one light separating into many descending on me,
a flock of angels, carrying torches lighting the shadows,
brightening and enlightening me
voices singing, arms embracing,
wings uplifting me.

I became one with this throng,
a thousand women strong.
In the distance a figure huddles and shudders in a darkened corner,
we press onward swiftly towards her a thousand and one angels
comfort and support our newest member.

THE GIFT OF LIFE Linda Nielsen

I was given a gift, wrapped shabbily
It was non-returnable, non-refundable
Reluctantly, I accepted it.
In it, I found a courage,
I never knew existed
And a patience, far beyond anything ever experienced.
I was given the ability to trust a stranger
with that most dear to me,
An endurance for the unknown.

I was given unconditional love of family and friends.
Always there; never stopping, never faltering
And the warmth of knowing.. I am truly cared about
I was given a fond farewell of my modesty and vanity,
And the acceptance of love of an imperfect body.

I was given a strong shoulder to lean on,
when that shoulder had once grown distant
And laughter and good times more special than ever before
I was given many new friends,
wonderful, courageous women that I am so proud to know
I was given warm sunshine,
and beautiful green grass, Blue skies and sparkling city lights.

I was given things to see that once were ignored
I was given the chance to wake up instead of sleeping through life
I was given every glorious day to enjoy,
every month to savor and every year to rejoice
I was given the gift of life.
I was given breast cancer.

HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST
In memory of Bobbie.L.Taylor
Ronda Burge

God saw she was getting tired
and a cure was not to be
So he puts his arms around her
And whispers Come With Me

With tear filled eyes we watched her
suffer and fade away.
Although we loved her deeply,
We couldn't make her stay.

A Golden heart stopped beating
Hard working hands put to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.

BEYOND SURVIVAL
Dedicated to all cancer patients
Susan Friedman

The sparkle of sunlight off the wings of a dragonfly
reflects the light and life left in our eyes.
Our hearts flutter but beat strong,
with the will within us to go on.
To not just survive, but to achieve.
To aspire to inspire, to soar, to believe
that we can still make a difference.

Shout it emphatically, the sound
of our existence echoes and resounds.
Ascends and transcends the farthest bluff,
resonates in crevices where ignorance hides and divides us.
Powerful, yet gentle like the breeze
scatters the leaves but caresses the trees,
this is our power to reclaim us.

Do not feel devalued do not cower,
as long as we draw breath we're empowered.
We must resist our isolation,
the disease of desparation
lies dormant in every soul.
Together we can heal and recreate our whole.
Then nothing can silence us forever.

THE PROMISE
Danny Pogue

For every fallen sparrow;
For every flower that fades;
For each and every sorrow
A promise has been made.

The song will live forever;
The fragrance lingers on;
Pain is healed whenever
Loves tender touch is known.

As earthly shackles fall away,
Serenity you find.
There, the tear-stained yesterday
Will never come to mind.

MEMORIES GONE BY
Corky

Years are yet but moments
in the halls of memories past.
Remembering those love filled eyes
in my direction cast.

Her precious little fingers
reaching towards my face,
become the hands of motherhood
with such beauty and loving grace.

One moment I see a baby,
sweet innocence, life's race,
then a child testing mama,
to know the boundry of her embrace.

A vibrant, young woman emerges
to try her wings new pace,
then the moment I feared would come,
she's gone without a trace.

Time stands still, my memories linger,
dwelling on times gone by,
suddenly brought back to present
by her precious baby's cry.

Closer now than ever imagined,
my baby girl and I.
Years or moments down life's path,
soon she'll know the memories gone by.

A FRIEND IS A TREASURE
Mom

A friend is someone we turn to
When our spirits need a lift,
A friend is someone we treasure
For our friendship is a gift,

A friend is someone who fills our lives
with beauty, joy and grace,
And makes the world we live in
A better and happier place!

A DAY WORTH WHILE
Susan Pangallo

I count the day as wisely spent in which I did some good,
For someone who is far away or shares my neighbourhood.

A day devoted to the deed that lends a helping hand,
And demonstrates a willingness to care and understand.

I long to be of usefullness in little ways and large,
Without a selfish motive and without the slightest charge.

Because in my philosphy there never is a doubt,
That all of us here on earth must help each other out.

I feel that day is fruitful and the time is worth the while
When I promote the happiness of :- ONE ENDURING SMILE!

BLESSINGS
Mary Burdin

When we count our many blessings it isn't hard to see,
That what we value most in life are the treasures that are free.

For it's not the things that we possess that signify our wealth,
But the blessings that are priceless like our:-
FAMILY, FRIENDS and HEALTH !

SERENITY
Jenny Meyer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference !

PATIENCE Christine Underwood

Grant me patience when life seems too rough,
When tempers flare and anger starts to rise.
And when I think I have had enough,
Help me see things through another's eyes.

Grant me sympathy and understanding
When others come to me in need of caring;
Instead of disapproving and demanding,
Help me to be compassionate and sharing !

LOVE Lynn Cocker

Love is being patient and kind;
It is not being jealous or conceited or proud.

Love is not happy with evil,
but is happy with the truth.
Love never gives up : its faith, hope and patience never fail !

BREAST CANCER FIGHT SONG Sharon Scott

I get knocked down,
But I get up again,
Your never gonna keep me down!!

A BRAND NEW DAY
Chumley
When you awaken in the morning and see the brightness of
the morning sun,
Lock the door on yesterday and throw away the key.

For God has given you a brand new day,
Another day of love and laughter.
Seize each moment before it flies away,
For sweeter than the fragrant flower is each precious golden hour.

Make today your best day,
The power is yours alone.
Make today the happiest and the best you've ever known.

Yesterday is gone, as in a dream,
Tomorrow is a vision still unseen.

Today is yours to live,
It's treasures you can use.
It can be your best day,
It's up to you to choose!

TODAY Betty

Outside my window, a new day I see
and only I can determine
What kind of day it will be.

It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay,
or boring and cold, unhappy and grey.
My own state of mind is the determining key,
for I am only the person I let myself be.

I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help,
or be selfish and think just of myself.
I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun,
or gripe and complain and make it hard for someone.

I can be patient with those who may not understand,
or belittle and hurt them as much as I can.
But I have faith in myself, and believe what I say,
and I personally intend to make the best of each day!

A GIFT Fae

Sometimes the blessings in life for which you are looking
are not the ones you find,
Remember to look sideways.

Yesterday is history,
Tomorrow is a mystery,
and today is a gift;
That's why they call it the PRESENT!!

JUST A PART OF ME MJ

Lord, you took away a part of me,
and I try to understand.
I come to you now spiritually,
asking for your hand.

Prayers and thoughts are with me,
each and every day
From your ever faithful followers,
who say I'll be okay.

I am asking for your forgiveness,
for coming to you now.
But I have the will to live,
If you'll only show me how.

Won't you guide me through the irony?
Won't you guide me through the pain?
Won't you guide me through the misery?
and make me understand.

I have read all the books,
and hear what people say.
But they all leave out the part, Lord,
on how I am to pray.

I need to raise my children,
and watch them grow old.
For they need my love and guidance,
but you'll always have my soul.

Yes, Lord, you took away a part of me,
and I try to understand.
And I come to you now spiritually,
asking for your hand.

Won't you guide me through the irony?
Won't you guide me through the pain?
Won't you guide me through the misery?
and make me understand.

Won't you wipe away the tears and fears,
of my family and my friends?
Won't you let them also see the light,
to help them understand?

WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO Trace

Cancer is so limited,
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul

IT CANNOT CONQUER THE SPIRIT!

Remember, always try to

*SMILE* (it can be good therapy!)
Back to Friends Main Page