Beth Caldwell’s impact on metastatic breast cancer

http://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2017/11/beth-caldwell-impact-metastatic-breast-cancer.html

Not a work of poetry, but poetic in it’s raw power. It also features evocative language. 

“The only thing that brings me any sense of meaning these days is to think of these fallen trees as nurse logs. Their memories, their lives, their children, their passions, their faces, their senses of humor, their wisdom, their spirits, their beautiful beautiful beautiful spirits are nurturing us, feeding us, giving us strength to go on, to demand change, to bring research to our friends, to fight against death death death so much death. Their falling leaves a hole in the forest canopy, but their souls are bringing new life to our movement and nutrients to keep us growing.

“And someday this forest will cover the world.”

As someone who lost my mother to breast-cancer far too young (pretty much the same age as Beth), this piece hits me hard. Tears, memories, so very much brought up. And, you may find it strange to share this Christmastime, but I always remember that first Christmas after my mom died. Really, though, I see this as a powerful way to honor her. 

Blessing to each of you this Christmas. Love well, love strong, love

This Painful Evening

Over fifty-years 

Living on this

Spinning rock

Yet moments come

When, still,

That powerless

Little boy

Rises 

Alone

Good Morning: A Haiku 

Brutal wakefulness
Abrupt, electronic noise
Reality’s grasp



Between fans blowing, my phone pinging, and alarms chiming, my morning is filled with racket. 

A Haiku About Cold Meds 

Cold meds bring me gifts

Drowsiness which slows me down

So hard to wake up 

A Meditation On Rumi

I adore Rumi. The wisdom within his poetry has long guided me. 

Within this small line: the importance of faith. Not necessarily directed toward any particular diety. Simply regarding our community. 

Our futures are unknowable until they become our past. Even then meaning slowly gets gleaned. 

I live with a dangerous mindset: desiring to understand all the ramifications of a choice before I act. This impossibility risks paralyzing me. Often, it has. Losing opportunity out of fear? That’s sad. 

I need to embrace that the way will appear when it needs to, and not a moment before. And that this way is good, it is for the best. 

Believe the unknown and uncontrollable are not reasons to hide, to wait, relegating opportunity to vapor. 

Inheritance: A Meditation

What is my Inheritance?
The stuff of privilege
Trust funds and disconnect
And a misunderstanding of struggle

Seeking Out Success

Seeking out my strengths
Align my life for success
Pursuing my dreams


So much of my life wasted with fear and insecurity. No longer will they dominate my life. I will continue to seek out purpose and tranquility.

Be Yourself

Often sleep damaged
When we try to cram our souls
Into other forms


Life is hard enough without trying to force ourselves into something we’re not. Finding a place of deep love and compassion for ourselves is a key step to everything peace and tranquility.