The Crab and the Caduceus

( Cancer as well as the treatment for it take a terrible toll on the afflicted. At the end of the day either or both of them have a debilitating effect. Often, it is the battle field of the body which has to rise above itself to come out a winner) The battle lines are clearly drawn Armies arrayed in fighting forms Caduceus with wings, serpents and staff The Rampaging, unruly, hordes, which teem. Lancet, venom, and piercing rays Cut, poison, burn body and soul Devastating, scorching all in their path The vile corruption to eliminate. Yet in this war the one who's lost Is not the Asclepian might Nor the vile, evil minions of the Crab But the frail field of human flesh and mind. Fertile fields full fallow laid waste The loser none but afflicted man His life, his joy cut short, cruelly maimed Sad victim of Caduceus and Crab. But there be some tenacious fields Which fight and rise and bloom once more To lead a life more complete than before Their war - won with indomitable will!