Heather Crismond Poet Free verse

C.U.P.

Cancer 

Terror invades every atom of my being
Eyes darting aimlessly
Flickering left to right
Looking for an escape 
Praying for an escape
Knowing there is no escape

Cancer

Words carry pain
Words can hurt
But it is not just a word
Its an oily black slinking entity
It’s hunger is massive 
It’s appetite eternal

I stand by helpless as this unseen criminal
Steals the future we thought was promised
I watch it devour half of my heart and soul
Masticating our laughter 
Guzzling our tears

I am angry
I am enraged
How dare you leave me
How dare you take him from me
By strength of will alone
I want to hold you fiercely 
And refuse the afterlife its prize

You look at me
That now familiar weary sadness has settled on your face
Yet for the briefest of moments 
Humor twinkles in your hazel eyes

If anybody can do it 
It would be you Opie

I smile through a veil of tears
I bury my face into your ravaged chest
And sob

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Pascal Borg September 8, 2026 at 1:55 PM Heather, I so admire the emotional courage you possess in describing this hidden evil and your anger towards it: "How dare you take him from me", and yet you still notice the brief twinkle of humour in Opie's eyes. So, so sad! Heather Crismond September 9, 2026 at 1:34 PM Thank you. Pain is so much easier processed through poetry. Otherwise I have a nasty habit of bottling things up inside. Thank you so much for reading my poetry. I am glad you enjoyed it.

Alison A Smith August 22, 2026 at 2:34 AM A heartbreaking and deeply honest poem, Heather. The repetition of “Cancer” gives the piece a stark, relentless force, while the tender detail of humour still shining in Opie’s hazel eyes makes the grief feel profoundly personal. A moving tribute to love, anger, and helplessness in the face of loss.❤️ Heather Crismond August 22, 2026 at 11:53 AM Thank you. I hesitated sharing something that is so completely devastating and personal. I just wanted anyone going through something similar to know its ok to go through the gamete of human emotions. I really appreciate you reading my poem.