Jan Allison Poet Free verse

Cancer

You creep  
like a cat burglar
invading innocent lives

No one knows
you’ve been silently stalking
until you pounce

Sister Susie; sans hair
removes a stylish wig
off a polystyrene model
She bursts out laughing at the irony...
the model is now as bald as she is!
‘I always wanted to be blonde’
Susie says with a wry smile.

Cancer you are a thief!
Robbing victims of so much
Sadly some lose their lives
However, there is one thing
you will never take from me
and that ...is hope.

5/27/19

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Michelle Faulkner June 25, 2019 at 9:04 PM This is brave and inspiring, Jan, I am hoping for better days for you, congratulations on your win!

John Hamilton June 24, 2019 at 11:04 AM Wonderful write Jan, true we always have hope, a sense of humour always helps us cope, better to laugh than to cry. Hoping your hubby gets through it. Take care!

Craig Cornish June 24, 2019 at 6:46 AM Thank you Jan and I know the "Thief" has robbed you and your family but your sense of humor has helped lift you and pray you can shortly look back at it as a past struggle you won.

Line Gauthier June 23, 2019 at 7:17 PM Bravo, Jan. What a most endearing poem. Lovely. Congrats on your much deserved win.

Andrea Dietrich June 1, 2019 at 3:53 PM Great message of hope too . Let's keep hanging onto the hope that they find a cure and are willing to GIVE it to us. Jan Allison June 1, 2019 at 3:58 PM Let's hope one day they can find a cure or at least a way of detecting it early before it has the chance to do too much damage:-) hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich June 1, 2019 at 3:52 PM I read what you said about Susie below in the comments. That is so sad, Jan. How good of you to keep visiting her. You are a true friend. Jan Allison June 1, 2019 at 3:58 PM She was an inspirational lady, many of her friends stopped visiting her when she was really ill but I would go and just treat her as I'd always done and we used to have such a giggle. I appreciate not everyone can cope with seeing their loved ones dying but she was an amazing lady and I think of her every day when I see my lovely plant which I can see as I type now xx:-) hugs jan xx

Kai Michael Neumann June 1, 2019 at 3:58 AM A serious laugh ... Jan Allison June 1, 2019 at 4:42 AM thanks Kai, my hubby is currently undergoing 6 1/2 weeks of further cancer treatment and it is humour and positivity that get us through-) hugs Jan xx

Christopher Flaherty May 30, 2019 at 3:39 PM Wanted to be Blonde By choice not forced into it Not to escape the "C" Death Stalker Jan Allison June 1, 2019 at 4:40 AM I have a hydrangea in my front garden, Rose gave it to us as an anniversary present so I see it even as I am typing now. She was an amazing lady and touched many lives. I'm sure she would have loved my silly poems as she had a wonderful sense of humour but sadly died some years ago now:-( hugs Jan xx Christopher Flaherty May 30, 2019 at 4:31 PM Testament to her you still remember and speak of her so fondly Jan. A good person is a good life fulfilled Jan Allison May 30, 2019 at 4:01 PM 'susie' is based on my late friend Rose and she had everyone in hysterics trying on wigs - I was one of few friends who still visited her when she was terminally ill in hospice , it was pitiful to see her a shadow of her former self but she always was so positive and we used to giggle at her antics. i think of her every single day:-) hugs Jan xx

Carolyn Devonshire May 30, 2019 at 1:31 PM Couldn't help but feel the tears coming on as I read your poem, Jan. The insidious "cat burglar" attacks indiscriminately. It's inspiring to know that after all you've been through, you still have hope. Bless you, my friend. Such a touching poem. Best wishes in Craig's contest. Hugs, Carolyn Jan Allison May 30, 2019 at 3:33 PM Thanks Carolyn it was a poem I had to write some day, my muse seems to be in a far more serious frame of mind since I was with hubby for a week in the cancer hospital - he is just finishing week 4 and will be home for the weekend:-) hugs jan xx

Warren Doll May 29, 2019 at 12:59 PM Hi Jan, thanks for writing a poem about the subject of cancer. I'll be praying for you and your husband. I currently have 4 friends who have cancer and are in various stages of treatment. You are right. There is always Hope. Sending hugs~ Warren Jan Allison May 29, 2019 at 1:19 PM I had to have a mammogram or 4 yesterday as I have a breast lump but thankfully it proved to be scar tissue from surgery last year - we cannot be complacent, hubby has 2 1/2 weeks more of radio therapy - 6 1/2 weeks in total and away from home but if it zaps his cancer cells then its worth it. have written more serious poems since spending a week with him at the cancer hospital its a very humbling experience. fingers crossed for your friends we too have friends battling this cruel disease:-( hugs Jan xx

Mystic Rose Rose May 28, 2019 at 10:56 PM No greater thief then C, you words are deeply cut , and emotive, love it , Jan, Stay healthy and well, keep us laughing, my dear xo Jan Allison May 29, 2019 at 6:42 AM Hubby is doing well, 2 1/2 weeks of treatment to go - we won't let this thief rob us Pixie!:-)hugs jan xx

CayCay Godwin May 28, 2019 at 10:33 PM Beautifully done, Jan - you got it down. Poetry hugs ... CayCay Jan Allison May 29, 2019 at 6:41 AM thanks CayCay:-) hugs jan xx

Paul Callus May 28, 2019 at 3:24 PM Jan, you have treated this topic in a creative and striking way. The third stanza is very effective, whilst the ray of hope in the end stanza is one thing which should be the last to fade. (this would be ideal for Craig's contest.) Hugs // paul Jan Allison May 29, 2019 at 6:38 AM thanks Paul we will always remain hopeful, the second stanza is about my dear friend Rose, sadly she lost her battle but I think of her every day as I have a hydrangea in my front garden which she gave as a gift:-) hugs jan xx

Lindsay Laurie May 27, 2019 at 11:45 PM Hello Jan … a topic that must be hard to write about, but being positive and having support are huge benefits for the fight against this sneaky disease - thanks again Jan - Lindsay Jan Allison May 29, 2019 at 6:36 AM being positive is what has got hubby through and he is still fighting!:-) hugs jan xx

Ilene Bauer May 27, 2019 at 4:55 PM wonderful ending, jan! it is an insidious disease but never losing hope it the only way to go... Jan Allison May 29, 2019 at 6:36 AM Its a cruel disease in so many ways:-( hugs jan xx

Tania Kitchin May 27, 2019 at 4:23 PM A powerfully written poem Jan, keep on fighting, hope is a powerful healer! Jan Allison May 29, 2019 at 6:35 AM Hope is the one thing I saw in the eyes of many of the patients when I was with hubby at the cancer hospital:-) hugs Jan xx

Kevin Shaw May 27, 2019 at 3:59 PM Hi Jan, nicely written poem about the curse of cancer. Regards to you and yours, Kevin xx Jan Allison May 29, 2019 at 6:34 AM thanks Kevin it sure is a curse:-( hugs jan xx

Gordon Mcconnell May 27, 2019 at 3:33 PM Great penning Jan speaking from experience as you are. Real nice rhyme with good flow and fine imagery. Glad to hear hubby and you coping with it, only two and half weeks to go so hang in there. Blessings always, Gordon Jan Allison May 29, 2019 at 6:34 AM thanks Gordon being at the cancer hospital during his first week sure was a humbling experience:-( stay well my friend:-) hugs Jan xx

Jack Horne May 27, 2019 at 2:27 PM Heartfelt & moving write here, my friend - a sure winner Jan Allison May 29, 2019 at 6:33 AM I wrote from the heart Jack not sure if crag will like it but without his contest prompt it wouldn't have been written:-) hugs Jan xx

Ralph Sergi May 27, 2019 at 7:53 AM Hi Dear Jan; We are also victims of the persons close to us have this dreaded desease. But we gather our hopes together to fight it. And prayers help if you believe. Hugs to you, Buddy! Jan Allison May 27, 2019 at 7:58 AM I know I would never have got through without support from friends and my son - I got none from my parents and sister. Hubby is undergoing more treatment but we are doing fine:-) hugs jan xx

Heidi Sands May 27, 2019 at 7:33 AM A heartbreaking poem of truth, with a powerful ending of hope. Well written, Jan ! Jan Allison May 27, 2019 at 7:56 AM Thanks Heidi, hubby is half way through his treatments, being with him in the cancer hospital for the first week was a truly humbling experience:-( hugs jan xx

Vijay Pandit May 27, 2019 at 7:20 AM So heart wrenching when it happens to anyone..but especially to family. I like the positive message of the ending stanza..my best wishes for a full recovery. Your poem feels so real life Jan (because it is)..many can relate to this.. for they too have been touched by this dreadful disease in some way. Jan Allison May 27, 2019 at 7:53 AM It sadly is all too real 'Susie' was based on my late friend Rose but I liked the alliteration so used Susie!:-) hugs jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen May 27, 2019 at 6:17 AM - Cancer is a cruel thief ... great written, Jan ... never lose hope ... Best wishes in this new week ... my thoughts are with you :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Jan Allison May 27, 2019 at 7:51 AM It affects so many lives Anne-Lise:-( there can't be many lives that are not touched directly or indirectly by this cruel disease:-( hugs jan xx

Margaret Remick May 27, 2019 at 6:11 AM Jan, Thank you for your comment about my poem heroin, written about my son. I like your poem about Cancer. It's written so well, and so truthful. Cancer, like Heroin, sucks! Jan Allison May 27, 2019 at 7:50 AM oh Margaret I am so so sorry you are suffering with your son's heroin addiction I hope he can get help and kick the habit, my heart goes out to you. I started writing poetry when my hubby underwent cancer surgery in 2013, unfortunately he is currently half way though 6 1/2 week radiotherapy treatments, I only get to see him at weekends as he is in the uk but he is doing well:-) hugs jan xx