Oncology

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Oncology waffle-soled Nikes travel by at a good pace and I think of chalky lace-ups and starched white caps, the apron-tied uniform of benevolent angels so gently shushing visitors. a memory collection of sneaking up stairs with no cardboard passes; two visitors at a time; 15 minutes; youthful breaking of the rules settles in a smile incongruous to my purpose of sitting here, waiting outside his room. The devil is behind this door. They cannot be left alone. A pair of nikes motions me in to keep at moor his boat at river’s edge. ©Kathryn McLoughlin Collins

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Keith Bickerstaffe

Date: 6/11/2012 8:56:00 AM

Hard hitting, but gently and quietly rendered. You have created a portrait of patience and devotion. '...to keep at moor his boat at river's edge' is a superlative final phrase. God bless, Keith

Black Eyed Susan

Date: 5/16/2012 7:15:00 AM

I remember this from pft :) just wanted to say hi, how r u? fav poet :)

Kathryn Collins
Date: 5/16/2012 7:24:00 AM

Hey - I'm fine. Do you use black eyed susan at PFT? I don't recognize it and their are a few Susan's hanging out there. Let me know. love, Kathy

Doris Culverhouse

Date: 3/28/2012 3:58:00 PM

Enjoyed reading your sad work....I like the shoe identity.....I am a nurse....never could take the hospice nor oncology ward.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/27/2012 9:14:00 PM

I sure remember this . WAs it posted at PFT? the devil is very bad to some people before their time. You tell it very well and we feel the pain. I was in Iowa a while. Did you know? It's great to be back and view poems such as this one, so touching!

Cyndi Macmillan

Date: 3/5/2012 5:06:00 AM

Damn cancer! Devil, indeed! Except for two, my entire clan crossed that river... and I expect I will travel it, too. My father's example of dying well I will do my best to copy, when it is my turn. Such a sad (and yet somehow not, because of its brevity, observations and shifting away from self to stand in the 'shoes' of others) write. We share much, I think, you and I. This site is filled with people who have sat in that chair or one even harder... BIG hug, Cyndi--cold sick and time poor

Kathryn Collins
Date: 3/5/2012 7:04:00 AM

Cyndi - How touched I am by your words of true understanding. My thoughts are the same in wishing to emulate my husband's last year. Yes, I too think there is a strain connecting us, one to the other. Along with loss, great discoveries come along with each day and recognizing them is the joy. sorry you're sick. There is only so much time, as we both know. Get well and put more beauty to the page. love, Kathy

Ilene Bauer

Date: 3/4/2012 9:27:00 AM

this is beautiful, touching and heartbreaking! a really wonderful poem.

Kathryn Collins
Date: 3/4/2012 9:34:00 AM

Thanks so much, ilene. I thought I posted my thank you comment already, but it doesn't seem to be here. As you might of guessed, it is close to my heart. I'm so glad you read it. love, Kathy