"Somebody's Bright Balloon," new book of poems about cancer

A friend of mine just published this collection of poems about cancer treatment, dealing with fear, depression, and obervations of other cancer patients, caregivers and physicians.

Check it out at http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-40995-4
Here are a few of them:

I am not Angry

I have seen the sunrise
more than one ocean
kissed someone I loved
loved someone I lost
smiled at my children
coaxed a child to smile
or try again
watched the sun set
always promising tomorrow
felt god hold me always
even when I fell so far
there was no sky

Shake me gently
do not let me slumber
forget life
love
love of life
and of life’s loves

Let me care
cry
smile
wish I were better
at being better
gave more to strangers
stopped to taste the world completely
vanilla to pistachio
stood tall on principle

Left earth behind for somebody’s bright balloon

------------------------------------------------
Patience

Sometimes I wait two hours for the surgeon who saved my life
to only see his fellow
an apprentice or disciple
who is always from somewhere else
and so happy to be at the center of his universe
monitored by Socrates in this private garden
I am unconcerned
assuming he is cutting death from another face
Mine is just fine now thank you
and say
do you really have to stick that thing up my nose
---------------------------------------------------
After the Storm

A piece here and there brings a memory
as I sort through the wreckage
Somehow Katrina came while I was sleeping
or sleep walking through my life
ignoring the sirens and news flashes
Occasionally glancing at the sky without really seeing
Awaken not by a clap of thunder or a gust of wind
but a kiss
a promise of love
hope
I discovered the truth
My home was destroyed
Perhaps eaten by termites would be more analogous
slowly
from the inside out
from the outside in
while I fed them little snacks
hoping to lure them from the foundation
God is busy in Afghanistan
Israel
a thousand other places
people die
mothers mourn
and I ask for help
foolish me

Your friend is really talented and captures the essence of cancer survivorship (yes, we are all survivors, from the moment we are diagnosed).

The last poem reminds me of Hurricane Katrina. Did you know Avon (the cosmetics company) provided most of the funding to ensure that cancer patients in the hurricane affected areas were able to keep getting treatment.

They're one of the best corporations involved in cancer philanthropy, they do an excellent job:


http://www.avoncompany.com/women/index.html

I've often wondered about the cancer patients who were in the middle of treatments and too weak to travel when the hurricane hit. How sad for them and thier families.