The Bus Ride
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I could be run over by a bus.
Just like you.
It’s a chance thing that happens
Out of the blue.
Except this bus is coming
To find me.
It’s got my name on the front, and
Instead of a number like 3
Is the word “UP”.
My number’s up when I get picked up.
This bus is different
From your average double decker.
It takes me away, forever.
Yet I am not the passenger but the driver
And behind the wheel I must steer
Towards the bright white light
Through the darkness I will drive
Focusing hard on the end-in-sight.
The journey is an extraordinary ride.
The destination’s over there,
The other side.
This poem was written in response to the comment, “We could all be run over by a bus.” It’s a slightly different reality for me. However, I and many others with a cancer diagnosis use this comment so please don’t worry if you’ve said this to me! To-date I’ve received no crass comments from anyone and only a couple of odd things that have been said with the best of intentions!
With all the uncertainty around my health, I’ve had to have difficult, honest conversations with Mark, Joe and my family about my death. This includes creating a living will, power of attorney, funeral arrangements and practicalities such as ensuring our joint names on bank, public utilities and other accounts. Yet this is also a cathartic process, sorting out one’s life. I’ve applied Marie Kondo’s advice about possessions (see her Sparking Joy series on Netflix) alongside reflecting on the advice in the book, Dostadning: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margaret Magnusson.
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.
Marie Curie is the go-to website to begin the journey of facing the storm of a terminal diagnosis and end-of-life care. Don’t be afraid. It’s immensely supportive, sensitive and sensible.
