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Cancer Ivy

It’s not too often that a person knows

a bad thing is inside them, and too late

sometimes they realize that cancer grows.

It grows like poison ivy, and one’s fate

depends on many factors. One is time.

How far along is cancer when it’s found?

How fast and high that demon likes to climb.

I wish that we could stomp it on the ground -

to not just flatten it, but take it by

the roots and yank it out forevermore.

When cancer comes, you’ll sit and sadly cry.

To know it’s in you cuts you to the core.

I know because it grew in me one day,

and never are you sure it’s gone away . . .


For the Cancer Ivy Poetry Contest of Chantelle Anne Cooke

Copyright © Andrea Dietrich | Year Posted 2021

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John Watt Date: 10/17/2021 9:47:00 PM My mother lived 97 years, and I only saw her cry twice: once when her sister died at age 40, and then when she learned my dad had cancer. It is an imposing thing to know, and it takes such courage to face it every day and fight back. I admire your courage in fighting cancer, my friend, and your transparency in writing about it. Excellent and powerful sonnet, a FAV. Login to Reply

Linda Milgate Date: 7/7/2021 11:37:00 AM Hi Andrea, Very true in many ways, it is a demon that likes to climb, and never are you sure its gone away. Excellent write. sorry that medical help was toxic, seems that happens a lot, I cut down what they wanted me to have but went through some of it. Stanford is pretty good and having a friend go through similar experience, deadly cancer but making her own decisions about what she will have done and what she will not have done. Thinking of you. Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 7/7/2021 12:18:00 PM thanks for your thoughts and sorry for what you are going through as well.

Alexis Y. Date: 7/2/2021 5:47:00 PM Hi Andrea, I knew you were gonna place high with this one. Congratulations on a well deserved win my friend. Have a wonderful day-Alexis Login to Reply

Christuraj Alex Date: 7/1/2021 7:19:00 PM I wish that we could stomp it on the ground - Beautiful. Congratulations! Login to Reply

Judy Ball Date: 6/10/2021 4:02:00 PM For sure my friend. I too am a cancer survivor and worry about my throat all the time. It's good though to know that no matter what God is in control and He will take care of everything. Whether it's there or not. He will take care of me. As long as I don't suffer I am not worried. I just don't want to choke to death or suffocate. Great write my friend. God Bless, JB Login to Reply

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 6/9/2021 2:41:00 PM I can relate Andrea. I was fortunate to discover mine early. I pray yours is gone forever. Your ending profoundly expresses that fear of its return. A wonderful sonnet my friend. Blessings xxoo Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/9/2021 6:56:00 PM You need to remind me in an email when you first caught yours. Was I your friend then? How come I can't recall this?? I am glad I caught mine rather early as well. the hell was not in cancer but in what the oncologist did to me AFTER WARDS.

Rama Balasubramanian Date: 6/8/2021 6:31:00 AM Those who have experienced it, know it's pain. Last line is so true. All the best for contest Login to Reply

Joanna Daniel Date: 6/8/2021 4:42:00 AM Really sad to know that you have been its prey too, Andrea, the last line is so true:) Login to Reply

Victor Buhagiar Date: 6/7/2021 11:15:00 PM It is said that heart troubles are the greatest killer. But heart troubles tend to end your life quickly. Cancer takes a long time. That's the worst part of it. Hugs Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/9/2021 6:59:00 PM I think it's about equal these days. Heart problems can take time too! The world is going to see more and more cancer as more toxins are put into the food, environment and vaccine. They WANT us to get cancer so that we will do chemo and they know chemo will lead to MORE problems. Win-win for Big pharma.

Aniruddha Pathak Date: 6/7/2021 11:14:00 PM What a reality check! Here's a poem that is not all beauty, butterflies and gossamer gauze, but something solid that comes with a cause. Great poem, Andrea Login to Reply

Malabika Ray Choudhury Date: 6/7/2021 4:32:00 PM Great poignant Sonnet, Andrea - You are speaking from your personal experience. It's a curse to mankind, and nobody knows who and when someone will be affected. Love and hugs ~ Mala Login to Reply

Tom Cunningham Date: 6/7/2021 3:40:00 PM The scourge of mankind Andrea, there's not many on here who have not been affected by this terrible disease. Tom Login to Reply

Alexis Y. Date: 6/7/2021 3:02:00 PM WoW! Andrea, You've penned a heartfelt entry from a personal experience. I feel the same way about cancer. It needs to be taken from the roots forevermore. I hope and pray that you stay in good health, my friend. Best wishes in the contest. Have a great day-Alexis Login to Reply