In morning breeze bandanas dance
Upon my washing line
Bright squares of cloth against blue sky
The pieces number nine.
Discovered, bought and sent to me
By mother, cousin, friend
They have been lying in my drawer
My treatment at an end.
Another woman needs them now
Though she has not met me
A friend of hers is friend of mine
And asked if they were free.
So sorry she has need for them
I'm glad to make the gift
I hope that in tough times ahead
They give her heart a lift.
Sun-warmed and dry, I take them down
And as each one I fold
I think: If I had magic powers
What blessings would they hold?
The first of them contains a wish
For doctors smart and kind
And nurses who bring calm and cheer
While veins they quickly find.
Two shields her from the toxins' power
Keeps side-effects at bay
And lets her eat the food she loves
For strength along the way.
The third square hides a bunch of flowers
Some DVD box sets
Stacked freezer meals, a movie pass -
The treats I hope she gets.
The fourth reveals a gentle path
Well-blessed with birds and trees
And time for walks where she draws strength
From sunshine and the breeze.
Cloth number five seems empty, but
Its stillness is its gift
Space of her own when she needs peace
Through troubled thoughts to sift.
Cloth six is an enchanted cloak
Its warmth she can keep near
When all seems bleak its soft embrace
Will bring relief from fear.
Unfolding Seven blinds one as
Light bursts into the room
Bright rays of hope to bask in when
Her days seem filled with gloom.
Bandana eight falls open as
Within it shoulders shove
It's crammed with friends and family who
Bring laughter, help and love.
Cloth nine never got ironed, lost
In joyful family strife
This bright and crumpled headscarf holds
Long, healthy, vibrant life.
For T.
[This is cross-posted from a blog that I'm keeping about my experiences with breast cancer and life in the NT, at www.paw-paw-salad.com . Please drop by and say hi some time!]
Comments
AMAZING...
You really made me smile.
I am beginning my journey 2nd chemo down, heairloss nearly complete.
For me it is beanies and the like becasue it is getting cold here in Canberra.
I lOVE the poem and the sentiment behind it.
GREAT job, you are very talented.
Wonderful Liz
We've got hidden talent in Darwin which has now been discovered. XLeonie
Thanks, Shaz and Leonie - I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Bandana drop-off is scheduled for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to meeting the recipient and hope I'll be able to give her some other kinds of support along the way - as well as a course in 'Bandana Tying 101'!!
Your life will be enriched through your "giving" (bandanas and emotions) XLeonie
And Shaz - I grew up in Canberra and so can fully appreciate your need for a beanie. Stay snug!!
Fantastic
I loved it (and shed some tears!)
Thanks,
Julia
wow
OMG, what powerful words..tears running down my cheeks as it is all so true and real...just beautiful
Sam xxx
Amazing Words
HI Liz - that was just amazing. I too had tears streaming down - touches our hearts regardless of what our experience is....Thankyou for sharing.
Thank you, Julia, Samantha and Leannel - I am beyond delighted that you enjoyed it. Felt a little nervous putting it out there but thought other BCNA members might like it - am so glad this is the the case! Thanks so much for your lovely comments - they have made my day.
Simply beautiful!
This is such a wonderful poem, Liz! Sums up everything for us all on here. Couldn't have said it better myself. Keep up it. It certainly gave me and others a lift today. Feeling a little down but this made my day. Tears were welling up!!
Take care and enjoy Darwin llife - I love it there! lived in Pine Creek in 92/92. Spent a lot of time in Kakadu.
Love Alison xxx
hi Liz
Hi Liz, the pics and words are great ! Kathy. OOXX
That's so beautiful, Liz!
Di
That poem is absolutely fantastic! Spot on!!
Thanks!!
Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Alison, Kathy, Di and Jrova - I am really chuffed that you liked it. I'm very happy to say that the 'handover' went really well and the bandanas are being put to very good use. I hope to be able to keep lending them out like this as a little gesture to other women who find themselves in this horrible situation. It's not right to keep such a nice collection in a drawer!
Very best wishes to all of you...
Liz