Home » Poems » Anthony Vannelson » Young and Strong

Young and Strong

Young and Strong

She was young, she was strong
Working cleaning all the day long
So much to do, but she carried that load
So concerned about everyone, at Kenmore road.

Then we moved, to Strandfontein we came
A new challenge for her, her commitment the same
So proud of her house, her castle her own
She decided to go work, had to pay a loan
No high education, no professional post
Just a menial job, but she worked better than most
Then she took ill, an anxiety attack
The work, the people, she was taking too much flak
Leave out the details all too sordid
In her best interest, she had to be boarded


Came two thousand and ten so significant
Shocking a lump in her breast, malignant
Here the genesis of a prolonged and fiery trial
She bravely faced the truth, never in denial
Chemo, radiotherapy, side effects and all
My health, my life I want it back was her call
Then they punctured her lung, a mistake they say
Whilst inserting the port, they went the wrong way
Ten days in hospital, a new trial began
She could have died, but it was not in God’s plan
The pain the suffering the trauma, she endured
She trusted, believed that ultimately she was cured


Two thousand and thirteen, an “annus horribilis”
The diagnosis so devastating, so preposterous
The cancer had spread of this they were sure
The back, the sternum the liver all needed a cure
Chemo, radiotherapy and pain she did it all once again
Then that fateful day in June, she had to take it
The treatment had failed, she wouldn’t make it
She had three months to live and yet so much to give
Anguish and pain all etched on her face
She stood firm and declared I’ll finish this race
If it is God’s will she was ready, we heard her say
Her petition, please Lord no suffering, hasten the day
Still some cancer in the back at the end of the year
But through God’s grace, the organs were clear
It’s been seven months now, time for a new song
Not so young anymore but still as strong
In the annals of history, the story of her life
She is unquestionably, a loving mother, a faithful wife
A reminder then, the lyrics of the new song
Not so young anymore, but still as strong.

Two thousand and fourteen with hope looking ahead
A loss of control in the one leg, the other one dead
What’s happening now, don’t really know
Pelvis also numb can’t even feel the flow

Diagnose, analyse even consult still can’t say
Once again XRAY  Ct scan MRI the order of the day
Life’s straight path again throws her a curve
Radiation killed the cancer, but damaged the nerve


The treatments, the medication all so profound
Worst case scenario, she’ll be wheelchair bound
She could give up now and say, I’ve run my race
But for loved ones with a special kind of grace
Her children, grandchildren always lifting her mood
Unwavering support, their presence, spiritual food

What lies ahead, how traverse this congested road
How stay the course, how bear this added load
No glib answer for every tribulation, every occasion
But a quiet resolve, God is never, out of the equation
In the final analysis, clearly, some victories won
But for the quality of life, the fight rages on

Two thousand and fifteen, just a nuance of dread
What if, thoughts mulling around in everyone’s head
We witness her suffering, the sweat on her brow
Confined to her bed, but hand still on the plough
Quietly fearlessly contemplating her ultimate demise
Reality check, more treatment an abortive exercise

October spring Christmas and the joy it will bring
She contemplate reflects hears every bird sing
They whistle, determined to praise their creator
She momentarily forgets the pain and discomfort till later
Her mind now flirts with moments down memory lane
Emotive incidents, special songs with a wistful refrain

She’s homeward bound, that’s clear and plain to see
Once there she’ll get all the answers, just let it be
Then quietly serenely, she joins that celestial throng
My heart my life’s partner, this forty five years long
Fare thee well Dora my love my wife, my life
Finally, forever young and forever strong.
{c}
APvN

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