On Saturday, Oct. 19, 2-4 p.m., at the Seattle Central Public Library (1000 Fourth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104) poets will read their poems about and take their stands against hate and bigotry.
My contribution will be “Stigmatized and Written Off,” a poem from my full-length (unpublished) cancer poetry memoir. This poem first published on OncoLink.com last month. It touches on the stigma of chronic or terminal disease.
Our culture glorifies youth and often stigmatizes the sick. We don’t deal well with death or the dying either. Oftentimes, cancer patients are dumped by friends and spouses. Also, they can be discriminated against, even by healthcare providers who make global assumptions based on cancer diagnosis. My poem brings these things to light.
Meanwhile, cancer patients are living. This diagnosis is different for each patient with specific circumstances of individuals. Plus, every human dies…we don’t know when. So what’s the deal with this type of discrimination and disempowerment? Let’s get real – disease happens, and to those who take good care of themselves too. A person isn’t a disease nor a disability. A person is a person is a person is a person.
Stigmatized and Written Off
Three close friends of mine opt out.
The last thing said, It’s treatable right?
Yesterday I read an athlete obit,
Younger man dies in a kayak accident.
So alive was he, everyone in shock,
His abrupt memorial packed no doubt.
But what of those who linger on?
Letting go is a large lesson
In life and death facing.
There’s almost an inward scoff,
No more energy for outward response
To those unconsciously saying,
Sorry that you’ve got cancer cells
Running all over your body,
Or, So, you’re going to do the
Killing yourself thing to live.
Yes, these things are said.
Surprised? By ignorance,
False confidence, in a culture
That worships youth and wealth?
Well, I don’t plan to die just yet –
Is that okay with you?
And not every subsequent health issue
Is another cancer—Sorry,
Does this disappoint your need
To assume that for me it’s all over?
I’m folding myself into poetry batter,
Yes, writing myself in
For whatever time I have to spend,
And with those friends who
Will have me outlive them.
Dumped due to an impending death –
You’re damn right I care about that.
Aren’t we all headed that way?
Most don’t deny and set me aside.
I thank God for this every day.
By Laura E. Garrard, Copyright 2024
Poetry In Time 