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

[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

[Ken Simm.]

Despite never, or almost never wearing mascara I find this wonderful write so poignant. I've just had a friend leave us after so much chemo so that is another reason for, I want to say liking this but that is not apropriate pehaps. I do find it very moving however.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Ken, many thanks for your response here. You are appreciated. Hope the floods up in your part of the world have not disrupted your own life further. All the best.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

Landslides trapped us for a while and still have closed the main roads. Not clear until Christmas. But ok otherwise. Just returned from the Western Isles and very stormy weather.

[Chris Shaw]

Take care now. Those landslides must be scary.

[Sami Khalil]

Never truer words to be said; an excellent metaphor.
Never give up hope, never surrender to negativity, never lose your vision.
Kudos!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Sami for your review. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Have a good Tuesday.
read moreMany thanks Sami for your review. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Have a good Tuesday.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome Chris.

[JessyJacob]

Dear Chris! Today is festival, hope everyone is doing good. I am going to be with my son. Need your blessings as it is last day of fasting. Hope you are not angry on me. I am sending offering to you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jessy. Have a wonderful time with your son. Enjoy the festival and I am not angry with you sweetheart. You have my blessings. Be happy.

Chris

[JessyJacob]

Thank you so much for the blessings, you too dont be tense, everything will be fine. Take rest.
read moreThank you so much for the blessings, you too dont be tense, everything will be fine. Take rest.
Regards,
Jessy.

[Chris Shaw]

I am fine. Just a poem about an experience years ago.

[JessyJacob]

Glad to hear you are doing good. Somehow I feel guilty for my behavior last week. I somehow felt total denial by God. So couldn’t sustain. I am sorry. I did get angry at one point of situation couldn’t take it but do feel guilty for not understanding you.

[Chris Shaw]

You have not upset me sweetheart. Enjoy your festival day.

[JessyJacob]

Ok my dearest atthamma(aunt). I love you❤️😍😊.

[JessyJacob]

I just dropped the parcel through someone. Two of them, one for you and one for NoNu, the purple for NoNu. These are not that costly, but thank you for taking it. My pooja finished and fasting I just now had food. Missing home and you, I know I am going to see Eshaa, but my heart is stuck here with you.

[JessyJacob]

I reached Chris