(Getting)  Over The Hump

“I’d rather be eccentric than appear that I am sick;
I’d rather spend the day alone than have you base your pick
Of friends and colleagues on the fact I whine about my pain,
For when my hurt is done I get to join you here again.”

For some, I guess that’s true, and for my part I’ve done the same;
For others of us have our versions, play that artful game;
And your disease is nasty one, like cancer and the rest –
Career’s the issue which I found, and I liked art the best.

“Who I am”, it comes second – (first? – Who cares it’s near the top);
“Is this my new identity? – or something that I’ve got”?
For me? I had a touch of cancer, like a touch of flu;
And sympathy I like when sick – but that’s just what I do –

Not do – as in career – but do as in an act of mine;
It’s something situational, not something all the time;
How subtle are the siren calls back into pity’s care,
But then it twists our hearts and minds, so I’m not going there.

I think we’re in for lots of this, for us and for our kids;
With chemicals in use today, and future’s siren bids
Us come partake, alone or as part of our global mess,
In life of soft convenience – ’till pain we must address.

When I got cancer I found out folks vary in the space,
Within their hearts and heads for facts relating to my case;
That’s why I wrote the “Journey” poems, and put them on the net –
Folks could find out (or not), and now I have a poem set.

I let folks know right off the bat, “It’s social, what I’ve got;
We’re all in this together, not just me who’s in a spot;
Think what you like, today it’s me, tomorrow maybe you;
I have a touch of cancer, here’s what I am going to do –

“I’m going to walk the walk, and tell a few who need to know
The details of my situation; on my website show
My inner journey (outer, you can Google – it’s all there);
It’s not my new career, or my identity – so there.

“But I’m not doing this alone, together we got here;
We’re chemophilic (loving chemicals) – to me that’s clear;
These sicknesses we have today rise from our way of life,
So bear with me – I’ll bear with you – when comes your day of strife.”

I’m glad I made the choices which I made along the way;
Not perfect, but they worked for me, and that is why I say,
Hang in, my friend, and walk your walk, but know you’ve got a friend
Or two, who also walk with you – as you’ll do in the end.

Each person who connects with you brings some new facet in;
It is a team-sport after all, and as a team we win –
Or lose – there are no guarantees on sports-field or in life,
Humanity one body is, in triumph, struggle, strife.

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