I am Alive

Blood Line Poem 24

You may wonder if it’s tough having cancer

As I must strive

To avoid getting disheartened,

Each day, I am alive.

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Should I be a fighter?

Kicking cancer to survive?

Bald-headed and bashed by chemo,

Struggling to thrive?

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Does my zest for life cause confusion?

Should I be feeling angry or scared?

I throw off my shackles and chains of fear,

Standing proud and prepared.

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Is my talk of death upsetting?

Please don’t be afraid -

I am a gold-gathering woman,

As I face the troubles that pervade.

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Is it my lack of devastation?

Is it that I don’t worry, if I’ve

Cancer in my veins, and

Still, I dance and jive?

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People wonder at my courage,

They give me a high-five.

Some call me brave – thank you,

I am alive.

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Inside or out of my hospital cell,

I am alive.

Though I know all is not well,

I am alive.

I am a river, the blood of earth,

My waters are breaking, I am giving birth,

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Flooding the desert beset by drought,

I am alive.

Creating new beginnings, without doubt,

I am alive.

Each twist and turn my life now takes,

Leukaemia is with me, make no mistake.

Still, I live.

I am life.

I am alive.

I wrote this poem to inspire me over a few days when I was feeling downhearted about my situation. Inspired by Maya Angelou’s inspirational “Still I Rise”. Her poem makes me laugh, cry and feel like I am part of something much bigger. There’s lots of things I can’t control about having leukaemia but I can consider this disease from different perspectives, and as much as possible choose ones that empower me. Oh and I wear posh hats for everyday occasions whenever I want!

Flynne’s Barn is a place where young people living with cancer can come together and find connection in beautiful surroundings and provides a range of immersive outdoor and creative experiences. I am sharing one poem per day during September 2022 to raise money for this charity. To DONATE, visit my GO FUND ME page. Many thanks.

Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) Support is for those diagnosed with or supporting people with CML to learn more about their disease and how best to treat it. There are many types of blood cancer and this is part of the challenge, getting the right advice and support within such a broad group of cancers.