Treasuring Poetry – Thinking of cancer sufferers and survivors at Christmas, as well as those who have passed #cancerpoetry #bookreview #TreasuringPoetry
Posted: December 20, 2023 Filed under: Uncategorized 51 Comments
I like to keep this final Treasuring Poetry post for the year as a tribute to wonderful blogger, poet, and author, Sue Vincent, who passed on the 29th of March 2021. This year, I am adding blogger and writer, Mary Smith, who passed on Christmas Day 2021. Both Sue and Mary died of lung cancer, and were a huge loss to the blogging community which still remembers their community spirit, talent, and generosity.
This post is also a celebrating my mother, Elsie Hancy Eaton, a breast cancer survivor who has been in remission for nearly 7 years, and talented author and poet, Freya Pickard, who is a bowel cancer survivor.
Sue Vincent
Sue Vincent’s wonderful blog: Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo is still available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeXvcrOUl5I. You will find all her books listed there.
This is my reading of one of Sue’s poems which features in Poetry Treasures published by WordCrafter Press:
Mary Smith
I had the good fortune to meet Mary Smith in Dumfries during my family’s tour of Scotland in 2019. This is the post I wrote about our tour of Dumfries, with Mary as our marvelous guide, and my review of her book, Secret Dumfries:
Freya Pickard
Freya Pickard is a talented poet and fantasy author.
You can find Freya on her blogs here: https://dragonscaleclippings.wordpress.com/ and here: https://purehaiku.wordpress.com/
My review of Vampirical Verse by Freya Pickard
What Amazon says
This book is for the broken, the damaged and scarred.
This book is for the walking dead who have learnt to live as best they can with hollow hearts and gaping wounds.
“They (the poems) are straight from the heart, soul and gut. They are never trite, never overblown but wonderfully, articulate and rich in imagery.” S Moore
Broken people get through the experience of brokenness and then have to adapt to living with it and its effects on the other side.
To deny we are broken is wrong. To try and forget the horror is wrong. Who we are today has been forged out of the trauma we have been though. Our lives now take a different, somewhat darker turn.
Vampirical Verse reflects the emotional, mental and spiritual fallout from cancer. These poems are an attempt by Freya Pickard to express the inexpressible.
Warning – the poetry in this volume contains themes of death, suicide, cancer and sexual acts which some readers may find upsetting.
My review
“This book is for the walking dead who have learnt to live as best they can with hollow hearts and gaping wounds.”
The author says her brokenness comes from nearly dying of bowel cancer, having open surgery to remove the tumour, a uterine fibroid, and her womb. She then had six months of chemotherapy.
I have had several first hand experiences of the emotional, mental, and physical devastation caused by chronic illness, and dreaded disease. It impacts on the patient and on everyone around them. My own experiences include nursing family members through breast cancer, a pulmonary embolism, a venous sinus thrombosis, and chronic and on-going illnesses suffered by both of my two sons. My younger son is a ‘medical mystery’ or a ‘medical miracle’ depending on your viewpoint.
People react differently to chronic illness and near death experiences, but no-one escapes unscathed. The poems in this book are the author’s expressions of the fear, anger, and stoic numbness which accompany different stages of treatment and survival. Experiencing these poems will change you, as the disease itself changed the author. They will teach you compassion, appreciation, understanding, and gratitude.
A few of the stanzas in this book that resonated with me the longest.
From: The Dead
“the dead feel –
I am not in stasis as you believe
I fluctuate between despair and hope
empty days, lonely nights”
From Camouflaged
“if you blink
you’ll catch a glimpse
and wish you’d not;
I am the thought
you didn’t want to think”
and a haiku
“on this side of death
shadows remain long, gaunt, thin
light never expands”
If you know someone who is, or has, suffered chronic illness or dreaded disease, these poems will give insight into their world. I encourage lovers of poetry to read this book and allow yourself to change and grow.
You can purchase Vampirical Verse from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Vampirical-Verse-Dragonscale-Delvings-Book-ebook/dp/B0CH4Q8KD8
This is a performance of Wake up and smell the corpses by Freya Pickard:
Elsie Hancy Eaton
My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. She had 19 months of treatment including chemotherapy and herceptin.
Mum is my co-author for While the Bombs Fell. This is the most successful of my books and has 64 reviews on Goodreads. You can purchase a copy here: https://tslbooks.uk/product/while-the-bombs-fell-robbie-cheadle-and-elsie-hancy-eaton/
While the Bombs Fell is my mother’s story, growing up in Suffolk, UK during World War 2.
Wishing all my blogging friends a very Merry Christmas and all the very best for 2024.
About Robbie Cheadle
Award-winning, bestselling author, Robbie Cheadle, has published fourteen children’s books and two poetry books. Her work also features in several poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
The eleven Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.
Robbie and Michael Cheadle have recently launched a new series of children’s books called Southern African Safari Adventures. The first book, Neema the Misfit Giraffe is now available from Amazon.
Robbie’s blog includes recipes, fondant and cake artwork, poetry, and book reviews. https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/
You can find example of Robbie Cheadle’s artwork in her art gallery here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/art-gallery/
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This is a wonderful tribute to Sue Vincent and Mary Smith who died of lung cancer, Robbie. I responded to both of them until their final posts. They both were courageous and excellent examples and supporters of the blogging community. They kept writing until their last breath.
I also appreciate your credit to your mum and Freya for surviving breast cancer. It’s wonderful to see your mum’s photo.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, your mum, and your family.
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Hi Miriam, thank you. I think of Sue and Mary a lot at this time of year. Both were wonderful bloggers and friends. Freya’s poetry is very hard hitting and exposes the suffering and emotion involved with treating cancer.
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This is a beautiful tribute to the victims of cancer and it was nice to hear and see you read Sue Vincent’s poem. It is a dreaded disease. I lost my mother to cancer when she was just 56 years old.
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Hi Thomas, I am so sorry to hear about your mother. Cancer is so prevalent and devastating. Hugs to you.
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God Bless us, everyone! ❤
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Hugs, Annette
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Beautiful tributes, Robbie. Cancer is a dreaded pursuer that many of us tackle. But as Freya says, “Wake Up”. Time is a gift, as is life. It’s so easy to forget to indulge the senses and savor the moments. But this season, more than others, reminds us to do just that. Thank you for this post, Robbie, and Merry Christmas to you and yours. ❤️
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Hi Gwen, it shocks me how many people I know who have either had cancer themselves or their partner or one of their children have battled this disease. My mother’s journey was a hard one to watch and everyone who beats cancer is a real hero. Merry Christmas 🩵
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A wonderful post and there is still a large whole in the heart of our writing community left by Sue and Mary, and we can be thankful they left their work for us to still enjoy… a lovely tribute and what a lovely photo of your mum… ♥
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Thank you, Sally. I miss Sue and Mary, especially Sue who I used to chat to daily. Freya’s poetry is very relatable to me, having watched my mother’s cancer journey.
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A lovely tribute to these poets, and I was moved by the two poem readings.
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Thank you, Dave. I’m glad you enjoyed the readings.
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Thank you for the reading of Sue’s wonderful poem. She will be forever missed. I also had the pleasure of meeting Mary Smith, another wonderful person who I miss dearly. I just lost a good friend of over 55 years to cancer. So this post was timely. Thanks. I’m so pleased your mom is doing well. xo
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Thank you, Darlene. I saw your FB tribute to Mary when I was looking for my reviews of some of her books. We were both fortunate to meet Mary.
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What an amazing tribute, Robbie. My husband is also a cancer survivor. This post touched my heart with all the friends lost to this terrible disease. Thanks for remembering those who have left this earthly plain, but who are still alive in our hearts. 💕
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Hi Colleen, it always shocks me how many people develop cancer. It is truly frightening. I am so glad your husband is a survivor. I miss Sue and Mary 💜
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I know, Robbie. Ron had stage 4 bladder and prostate cancer from his exposure to agent orange during the Vietnam war. We’re lucky he survived. I don’t know what I would have done with him. I miss Sue and Mary, too. Their memories live on in our hearts and through our poetry and writing. You did a lovely thing reminding us of their gifts. Hugs and love to you! ❤️
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Hi Colleen, I didn’t know your husband was a Vietnam Vet. A terrible war for the men on the ground and then to get cancer from Agent Orange is such an added outrage huge hugs to you both.
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Thanks so much, Robbie. My husband was a gifted baseball player. After highschool he played for Minnesota Twins as a pitcher. Then, they started drafting guys from the team into the army. Ron is 6 ft 7 in, so he enlisted in the Air Force. The rest is history. He spent 24 years serving as an aircraft mechanic. By the time he retired he was already having issues. That was in 1992. It took us all these years to get the disability he deserved for his exposure to Agent Orange. I’m just blessed to have him here with me. We had to do some radical things to save his life but it worked.
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Thank you for this tribute to people who have been lost to cancer or survived. It’s a terrible, terrible scourge as Freya’s video performance demonstrates.
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Hi Liz, it truly is a terrible scourge. Freya’s poetry is very powerful 💝
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This truly is a wonderful post. In memory of those lost and celebration of those who have survived.
I was blessed to have known Sue Vincent, although only for a short time. She was a guest here, on “Treasuring Poetry” and was a featured author/poet in the first “Poetry Treasures” anthology that we put out. It was so sad that she didn’t get to see that volume. However we are fortunate enough to have her words preserved there. She was a vibrant person, and I only learned of her disease after she passed. She is missed.
I didn’t know the others, but I admire their extreme bravery. I went through treatment with my husband, as his caregiver. It was rough, and I know at times he felt it would be easy to just let go. He didn’t, and is a survivor today, although still suffering the effects of the chomo and radiation.
Blessed holidays to you and all of our readers. ❤ ❤ ❤
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Hi Kaye, I didn’t know about your husband. So hard for you both. I watched my mother’s struggle. She changed after the chemo. It affected her memory and she has violent mood swings which are hard. Merry Christmas, Kaye.
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Merry Christmas to you, too, Robbie. 🌲☃️❄️⛄
We are snowy and cold here. What is your holiday weather like there?
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Hi Kaye, it is very hot in Johannesburg at this time of year. We are having a cold Christmas lunch.
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☺️
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Robbie, some readers might want to know that the original Poetry Treasures with Sue’s poetry is on sale for $1.99, but tomorrow, December 22, is the last day.
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I’m so happy you included Sue in your post Robbie. I miss her poetic smiles!
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Hi Wayne, thank you. I also miss Sue a great deal. She was a good friend to me 🩵
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I love the poetry, but it might be too depressing! I am none of what is listed in “this is…” Thanks for the review, Robbie.
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Hi Jacqui, I am not either but I can relate to Freya’s poetry because of my mom’s cancer experience. My father in law died of lung cancer in 2006.
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An amazing tribute for all these great writers, Robbie – it’s so good you met Mary. x
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Hi Toni, I was fortunate to meet Mary. She was a lovely lady.
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I love this beautiful poem by Sue who was such a wonderful poet who has marked her words on our hearts. Nicely read Robbie. Sending love to your mom and those that are fighting the good fight. I hope Micheal is doing well. Sending you love and hugs, ❤️🤗
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Hi Cindy, thank you love to you and your too 💜
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Hugs and thanks dear Robbie
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This was a beautiful tribute to those who made it, and those we’ve lost Robbie. I lost the love of my life in 2021 too, it’s still raw. Not a good year for many. Let’s hope 2024 brings something good. ❤
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Hugs, Debby. I hope 2024 will be a good year 🥂
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Thank you Robbie. I wish the same for you and yours. ❤
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I think of Sue and Mary often, Robbie. A lovely memorial to them, and thanks for the introduction to Freya (and the review). It was lovely to meet your Mum as well. Have a lovely Holiday Season, Robbie and Kaye Lynne.
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Merry Christmas, Olga. 🌲☃️❄️⛄
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Thank you, Olga. It is amazing,ing how close we get to our blogging friends. I certainly my chat to many bloggers a lot more frequently than any physical friends.
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I think of Sue and Mary often. How so many of us bloggers bonded with and through them as they shared their struggles with cancer. They gave us so much. Wonderful tribute to them. And may your mom continue to survive breast cancer. ❤
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Thank you, Pam. I appreciate your comment 💚
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💜
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Robbie, it’s heartwarming to see how many, including myself, remember Mary and Sue – they touched so many of our souls even before their illnesses. My heart goes out to your mother and her cancer, what a gruelling fight for her and yes, for you too with loved ones suffering. Everyone close is affected. Wishing you all a healthier and a Happy New Year, Robbie! Hugs xx
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A beautiful tribute to Sue, Mary, Freya, and your mom, Robbie. All powerful women. I loved your reading of Sue’s poem, and Freya’s poetry is deeply emotional. And fun to see a picture of your mom! I can see the resemblance. Wishing you and yours a wonderful new year.
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Hi Diana, thank you. The cancer struggle is a physically hard one. I miss Sue and Mary 💜
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I do too. I didn’t know Mary as well as Sue, but both were a integral part of our community.
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🙏🧡
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[…] Today I would like to share with you another profound review about my recent publication of poetry, Vampirical Verse. This review is from Roberta Cheadle at Writing To Be Read. […]
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