Forty-six years ago,
there was no cure
and my father fell victim
to it.
Thirty-six years ago,
a cure was within reach
but my mother succumbed
to it anyway.
How can science,
which can create bombs
that annihilate continents,
not find a cure
for it?
Why must millions wait
in fear and trembling
to hear that they
have it?
When will it become
an archaic word
known only to scholars
and historians?
It is hideous.
It is deadly.
It is grotesque.
It is
the disease
that hides just under
our consciousness.
Author notes
This is for option 2 - cancer.
It just never ends.
I just returned home from Grand Cayman Island. It seems that this little island has the highest instance of cancer in the Carribean. The high cancer rate began when the island instituted a new water treatment system. I pray that the cause of all cancer will be exposed and this awful plague will be ended.
This is honor of the Kim family as well as my own Mom and Dad.
Written April 3rd, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- Issues close to my heart! by Scrunter.
1750 points, ended July 18, 22 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 25 of 25
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Wow... what can i say apart from wow!!!! what you had written did not make sense until the third time i read it...Please do not be offended.///This is the most wonderful heartbreaking thing ive ever read., How to judge i just dont.
All the Best
KATEY XX
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Very powerful write, my mom greately appreciates it. So sorry for your loss...Thanks so much for your beautiful entry.
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Strong Writing
Joanne, I cannot believe a cure is known by anyone and is being withheld. Why would that ever happen? There would be a huge sum of money to be made with such a cure by the drug company with it. --Ellis -
Amazing
Well said...Cancer is an on going battle for millions and millions of people and one day they will find the cure for it...it may be 50-60 or even 70 years from now but one day it will come
Great write
keep up the good work
Ashley -
Deeply Moving
This is a deeply moving poem. I am sure that we all ask these questions every day of our lives. It's really a shame that we can find so many ways to kill but, not to cure. I work at a Cancer Center and have seen first hand how terrible this disease can be. I have lost many friends to it. My heart goes out to you and your family. I wish you all the best. This was a great write! Thanks for sharing it!
Allen0826 -
TThis made my heart cryy...You did an awesome Job.
Great Write. -
this is more of an outcry to find a cure .. and also reflects deep social responsibility ..
good write .. good flow of words.. -
Strong poem, pulls at my heartstrings also. My mother-in-law died of cancer. That is a horrible word it strikes fear in some of the most hardest hearts. My heart and prayers goes out to any family that this disease touches. Science has come a long way but this is still a horrible disease.
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really great sorry to hear about the cancer, i lost my aunt in 87 and my grandfather in 91, cancer takes over your body and your right its awful these mad scientists cannot come up with a cure.
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A dear poem and true
Is it Alzheimers? My dear mum died of it and it robs you so badly, it is terrible. Oh, no I see it is cancer. You have written a powerful poem that tugs at the heart of the reader. I hope that you have some comfort.
Edited on Apr 23, 9:31 p.m. because ''. -
beautiful
Sad, but true. Science is not the answer, for science itself is a creation and must submit to its Creator. I'm deeply sorry about your losses. Death is never fair. Never. But thanks for sharing. My uncle died of cancer. So did my math teacher and now we have Hitler reincarnated for one. Grr. God bless you in all that you set your hand and mind to do! Best wishes for your future writings. Again, this was sad, but also beautiful. Thanks!!!!!!!!! -
Can't think of anyone who does not know someone with this disease, either dead or alive. everything we eat, breathe, use etc. seems to have some cancer scare with it. There will be a breakthougth I am sure, but how many others will not benefit from it because they have already died? Sentiments well expressed in these lines - easy to read and understand,
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I belive there is a cure that the government and big drug companys doesn't want us to know about. That's how they get all there money from us. I think it's sad and in a way it makes me very angry.
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Wow this is nice. I am sorry you have to deal with this. Have a wonderful day and I pray that something is done soon.
Because He Lives,
Beka -
very well done!
Powerful stuff, and very well done! TY! I lost my own father to this in 1990. My Mom has beaten it twice, and she is hanging in , not strong, as her body part loss left her the worst kind of diabetic, but it beats the alternative.
A good friend of mine lost her life to the same, in her early 50s. Life can be so unfair, or so it seems.
It does seem inconsistent that they can put men on the moon, and not cure this.
I agree! You just put it into words!
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wow, a great message wrapped up in a tightly crafted piece of art...nicely done. A thoroughly enjoyable piece.
Rory -
Great poem!! This is really sad. At the beginning, i was not as enthused about this poem, but as soon as i saw the patterns and schemes, the whole poem came together. This poem overflows with a deep personal emotion that moved me deeply. Im really glad to have read this. Excellent job.
And thanx for the comment on my poem. -
Joanne I feel so sad for you I wouldn't know what to do if I lost one of my parents,my mum had to have a historectimy due to cancer while she was in her thirties.God chose to spare her as she was ment for other things. My prayers are with you Joanne always.Will you still have me in the group if so you'll need to send me the application number again,I pray that god will guide you through today triumphantly.Thanks Shug
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And peace be with you my dear friend. - joanne
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It took her piece by piece. Once grand and full. Then a shadow of life. My late wife. Peace be with you...Always.
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Thank you Sam for your response. It was a hard poem to write because I don't like to even think about the disease and what it does to families. - joanne
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Joanne, this is truly beautiful. It pulled at my heart strings, for I have lost several to this wicked desease; the most recent being Alpha. In my mind, Cancer is the most frightening of words...
This is a loving gift to honor anyone with. Best to you in the contest.
Sam
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AH sweetie, i pray for that day too
i like how you spaced out the sentences and everything...and i absolutley LOVE the ending....chya chya 
"It is the disease that hides just under our consciousness" love it!
Great job!
~Adrasteia -
Excellent, Full of Emotion
Ah, my sweet Joanne, it will become archaic when God makes everything new. Albeit, I must say that holistic medicine has been able to cure cancer for many years; but, that's because they address the problem instead of the symptom: doctors do just the opposite. And, holistic medicine doesn't poison the body in the hopes of killing the cancer before the poison kills the person.
This is an excellent poem and I know it conveys both the pain of loss due to cancer and your love for all who suffer its ill-effects. Well done, dear sister!
Lots of love and hugs, SisB♥n 
Edited on Apr 03, 9:57 p.m. because ''. -
I have heard it said that the cure is being withheld. That's why I put that line in about my Mom and the scientists. Thanks so much for reading and commenting and I am soooo glad you are not near that bad weather! Love and hugs - joanne
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