Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

** We need to be as ruthless as cancer when it comes to funding research into fighting it and curing it ... I hope this poem makes folks angry for just that reason. Please give what you can. Thank you. **

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I Am Cancer

'Tis I, your ruin ...
I, the scourge, unseen ... the "C" word
I am death's abettor, the bête noire
So do your worst, in my ruthless wake

The cold chaos of cells that rages rampant
Weaponizing blood and bone and marrow ... and breath
Seething untrammeled as the burn of abandon, afire
I play no favorites, I see no chalk or choice

Health is the meat of my prerogative, the blood of my intent
I strip vitality and strength from bones like a butcher
And hang them raw to be branded ... "terror"
I scrape beauty and flesh to maim motherhood, passion

I divest masculinity of its vital seed, choke the air from lungs, gasping
I ravage little lives before they begin, to glaze their sparkling eyes
I plunder and rape and kill in a thousand myriad fashions
One no less callous or malevolent than the other

And the only weapons you have to raise against me - your only hopes
Are near as vicious and unappeasable as I am, (smiling)
Oh, hear me and fear me, humankind ...
I am chasing, relentless ... your ruin.





~ 5th Place ~  in the "Topic Of Cancer" Poetry Contest, Craig Cornish, Judge & Sponsor.

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John Hamilton June 24, 2019 at 11:00 AM Congrats G on another winning poem, in your inimitable style!

Sandra Adams June 23, 2019 at 9:02 PM I have lost my mother to cancer when she was almost my current age and have a friend battling it, a tough topic for me at times but you describe it and its effects wonderfully....congrats on your win!

Craig Cornish June 23, 2019 at 7:51 PM Greg, your art is always exceptional and thank you for sharing once again your always creative perceptions.

Line Gauthier June 23, 2019 at 7:25 PM The anger andpassion shines through your poem, Gregory. Congrats on your win. Gregory Richard Barden June 23, 2019 at 7:32 PM Thank you so very much, Line, I appreciate your kind words. <3

Panagiota Romios June 22, 2019 at 9:42 PM Gregory..I have a cousin who just started chemo yesterday. I an totally frightened. I read the side effects of chemo. Just too ugly, I pray you win, There won't be a cure found as cancer is BiG money... Am sure there are ways. Chemo is destruction of all body parts, read about it,, Panagiota Gregory Richard Barden June 23, 2019 at 7:32 PM Cancer is certainly big money, and there are many forces at work that, when it gets right down to it, DON'T want to see a cure, sadly. But I believe love and truth and perseverance will ultimately prevail ... and in our lifetime. Many thanks and blessings, my friend. <3

Edward Ibeh June 22, 2019 at 11:23 AM Dark, ominous and brilliant write, Greg:-) This is the best I've read for the contest, so much better than my offering, lol. Clearly a 1st spot winner! Gregory Richard Barden June 23, 2019 at 7:30 PM You are far too kind, Edward, and I so appreciate your thoughtful and heartfelt comments ... your opinion means a lot to me, and I thank you so much for stopping by, My Poet Brother! Blessings.

John Hamilton June 21, 2019 at 10:43 AM Masterfully done G as only you can do, loved every word of this gripping write, I see another winner, however sadly there are few winners with this deadly disease! Gregory Richard Barden June 23, 2019 at 7:26 PM Indeed you are correct, my friend, but I have faith that we will see a cure in our lifetimes. Blessings and thanks to you, John.

Andrew Fairchild June 21, 2019 at 9:25 AM Yes. Nearly lost my mother to it, thirty years ago. So many maimed, so many lost. We must find as many cures, as it takes, to heal every one of the ones who bears this terrible burden! Thank You! Gregory Richard Barden June 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM Amen, Brother, I hear you ... both my folks have skin cancer, my mom a breast cancer survivor. It touches everyone, and we've GOT to find the cure - imagine the lives saved and misery cut short? We will do it in our lifetimes, I believe! Thank you, my friend!