Andrea Dietrich Poet Sonnet

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

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John Watt October 17, 2021 at 9:47 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.

Linda Milgate July 7, 2021 at 11:37 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. Andrea Dietrich July 7, 2021 at 12:18 PM thanks for your thoughts and sorry for what you are going through as well.

Alexis Y. July 2, 2021 at 5:47 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

Christuraj Alex July 1, 2021 at 7:19 PM I wish that we could stomp it on the ground - Beautiful. Congratulations!

Judy Ball June 10, 2021 at 4:02 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

Connie Marcum Wong June 9, 2021 at 2:41 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 Andrea Dietrich June 9, 2021 at 6:56 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 June 8, 2021 at 6:31 AM Those who have experienced it, know it's pain. Last line is so true. All the best for contest

Joanna Daniel June 8, 2021 at 4:42 AM Really sad to know that you have been its prey too, Andrea, the last line is so true:)

Victor Buhagiar June 7, 2021 at 11:15 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 Andrea Dietrich June 9, 2021 at 6:59 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 June 7, 2021 at 11:14 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

Malabika Ray Choudhury June 7, 2021 at 4:32 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

Tom Cunningham June 7, 2021 at 3:40 PM The scourge of mankind Andrea, there's not many on here who have not been affected by this terrible disease. Tom

Alexis Y. June 7, 2021 at 3:02 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