Cancer, You Are An Artist

Cancer, you are an artist
A prolific one at that,
For several dear ones
Have encountered your work.

Your wretched fingers as sculptors
Design imprints of faces unknown.
You smudge white, pain-ridden clay
A little here, a little there,
Till your subject becomes amorphous.

But oh you are not finished!
A red cross encrusted kiln
Invariably cements your doings.
A surgery of crackling and burning,
Until the shape is spit out,
A hard shell lost of all dignity.

Satisfied with your creation,
You give it one last look
Before it rests on an earthly shelf
And another project is begun.

I am sad to say,
You are quite skilled at your craft.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2005

Poem

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Mister Roboto Avatar
August 7, 2014 at 7:53 AM
Wow I came back to give you that 7 RATE and the Captcha ---->>>>>>>>>>>> over there says S U N !~ Wurd UP! Hey, I promise I will be back to read every ONE of your poems, no matter what! I tells no lie. I am on a writing Hiatus, not poetry hiatus, but work hiatus, so I got tons of time to read lately...just not this second!!! Ha:) gotta find my 3rd EyE...S U N.
Mister Roboto Avatar
August 7, 2014 at 7:49 AM
I am not sad to say ,,,,I LOVE YOUR "DOINGS" Hot damn poetess, you got the literacy goodies!~ In case you didn't get my reply to your ViBRATO CommentO YO. Here ya go.... "I GOT CHYO Vibration Girl....Friend! I found it on the Psilocybin Highway with Tim Leary and Frank Sinatra on the Mantra, And WE did it MY HIIIIIIGGH wAy. I just cleaned out my PINEAL GLAND"--ya DIGGG?!!~420
Smith Avatar
February 16, 2010 at 11:48 AM
wow i guess i've never thought of it that way, i ve always thought of it as this silent menace stalking the night come to steel your body parts or life! you gave another way to see it yet still kept it the evil doer. i loved this poem the first and last lines were extremly effective you are a true poet to approach the unapproachable and write this beautifully about it! =)jo
George   Avatar
November 28, 2009 at 5:04 AM
Powerful portrait you paint, Michele. Sadly! It is oh! so true. I am a surviver, but, Like you, have lost many I love to this incidious killer. Love, Lainie
Fisher Avatar
November 25, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Michele - congrats on your featured poem this week. Rgds Janette
Scripca Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 7:56 PM
Interesting poem. Congratulations on your being featured this week. Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Iolanda
Townsend Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 2:07 PM
This is so sad and so true at the same time. Congratulations on being featured this week. You are truly gifted with words. Smiles through my tears~ Lolita
Fraser Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Many congratulations on your poetry being shared with us this week Michele >> James
Brown Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 8:47 AM
Congratulations on your excellent poetry being featured this week Michele. Love, Carol
Nutter Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 3:17 AM
Excellent write and well deserving selection for being featured this week. Best wishes and keep writing. A. W. Nutter www.freewebs.com/abcedit
 Avatar
November 22, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Powerful poem. The vivid imagery conveys your thoughts in a creative way. Most will relate to this poem as everyone knows someone who has been affected by this disease. Congratulations on being featured this week. I wish you continued success with your writing. Karen
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