I got a call from my ex-wife
It was late afternoon today
She had been to see her Doctor
Bought her shopping on the way
I knew she had been crying
I could hear it in her voice
The words she spoke I'd rather not hear
But she really had little choice
She told me she had cancer
It was a tumour in her breast
She told me of her options
I wished her all the best
She never heard the sobs I made
As she hung up the phone
Would anything ever be same
Would she face this on her own
We'd been together twenty years
She was the greatest wife
Until she fell out of love with me
Left to make herself a new life
I wasn't the perfect husband
Though I did my very best
I was never once unfaithful
Cross my heart and hand on chest
Author notes
My ex wife phoned today/yesterday its now almost 2am...she told me she had breast cancer...so I intend to offer my support to her...She was a good wife and a fantastic mother for many years but then something happened in her life and she decided she wanted more than I could give...we have been divorced almost 18 months and seperated almost 4 years...but we keep in touch because we have 5 kids together...3 live with me 2 are with her...If you can Id ask you to think of her when you say a prayer...Im not fussed what faith you have but Id appreciate some healing thoughts coming her way!...regards Dan xxx
A contest entry
- Breast Cancer Awareness (contest) by astralshepherd.
800 points, ended October 23, 2007, 28 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Cancer by Aussie Gypsy.
450 points, ended November 20, 2007, 19 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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Gosh I remember reading this piece when you first wrote it and the sadness I felt for not only your former wife but also for the pain in your heart....
I am glad you entered this piece into my contest
Thank you so much for entering this contest. I wish you the best of luck
Karen -
Congrats on the honorable mention trophy. This was so heartwrenching and beautiful. I am so sorry for the trials you have endured with your family. Your pain was truly expressed through your piece however so was your strength so... well done!
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This gave me goosebumps all over. A remarkable write with deep emotion and sadness. I applaud you for your honest and loyalty. All the best to you and your ex.
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Thank you
Cancer is such an emotive issue and causes concern in most cases but when the person who contracts this condition is or was a major part of your life for a very long time...it hits home much harder...it causes you to re-evaluate your own life and stirs up old emotions you thought were long dead...in my case my ex wife has gone through the treatment and is now clear although still attending hospital for outpatient treatment!...thank you again for your thoughtful and very welcome comments...regards Dan xx
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Such a beautiful poem with deep feeling and concern and I am so pleased for you both that she is beating the beast.
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Thank you
My thanks for your lovely comment on my write...Im very grateful...Dan x
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Dan, I think the hardest thing about your poem is the realization that the two of you are separated, your marriage over. And yet your compassion shows through, here in this poem…no husband is perfect, that is a fact. The idea of perfection exists in imagination, the reality is much more difficult to fathom, to walk out. So I wanted to clear that up lest any readers decide it’s up to them to pass judgment. You cannot know another’s situation, not really, not completely. And how we face the loss of relationship is so very different in each circumstance. What rips my heart out here is the disconnected nature of the support mechanism that is normally inherent in the marriage. It is obvious you are not completely removed from her life and that is a blessing and a curse. Sure, to say the right things, do the right things, offer support is a good thing , but how much of a toll does it take on YOUR heart as well. Cancer is not just about the person who has it. There is collateral damage; families and friendships are stretched to unthinkable limits of emotion – how much more difficult with you two apart, on both of you, and the children. This is a real poem, honest and admirable in presentation, and you have my most profound respect. Again, thank you so much for entering the contest , I truly do appreciate your efforts.
Blessings and best wishes,
~r.
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Respect and Gratitude
Never have I had a remark of such incredible depth and observation on any of my writes...What a wonderful thing to say about my poem...I am staggered at the sheer beauty of your review and will surely consider it the best I have ever received during my time on Allpoetry...in closing I should like you to know that my ex wife had a successful course of chemotherapy treatment and is currently an outpatient at Ninewells hospital in Dundee...she was given the all clear and is now finalising her treatment....thank you for a review that is compassionate and full of human warmth...I value it very highly...my respect and regards...Dan.
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Celticpoet, thank you so much for entering your poem, “The Lump” into my contest, Breast Cancer Awareness, it is an honor to have your work posted here and your voice and unique perspective is a welcome addition. This is a boilerplate note that I place on all poems entered to let you know I have reviewed your poem and have made my initial observations. Please feel free to add to or modify your poem as I will make my final assessments after the close of contest. I will judge the contest approximately ten days after that and will make any additional comments at that time. Thank you, again, I truly do appreciate your effort and wish you best of luck in the contest.
Blessings and best wishes,
~r.
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This poem reminds me of the bad and good that this kind of circumstance offers. It both tears close bonds apart because of strain, and pulls some distant bonds together. You never know what you are made of, until you face something like this. It shows your ugly and beautiful face. I have seen both of mine and others. Everyone progresses through life idly, really.. until the idea of it ceasing becomes harsh and in your face. Then, I think more than ever.. you wish you had the commodity to live life as if it might never end..taking for granted all the things that now, taste, smell and feel so potent. It's heartbreaking. Even watching something stupid on tv becomes so important..because you don't know if you will ever do it again.
my best.
S
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Yeah Dan this is a great equalizer but it is not a death sentence and thats what early detection is about... I went through something similar to this with my x and he is 11 years free....interestingly enough there is research on how many siblings male and female have had similar cancer....this was raised when his sister developed breast cancer
she was asked in detail about her brothers interesting. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayersI also recall Dan the poem you wrote about breast cancer...
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My prayers and thoughts are with you Dan. What a sad thing to have to deal with. I'm so so sorry and If I had a magic wand I'd wave it over you and your family to make your hurt go away. I will light a candle for you and hope with each passing day it becomes a little less painful for you.
and God Bless.
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Excellant
Aye, I shall be happy to do so. A very sad, but good tribute as well. -
Oh Dan I am so very sorry, I will say a prayer for her and for you, to give you both the strength to get through such a trying experience.... I don't know what more I can say.... but you know I'm here.... and I know similar feelings... *hugs*
Karen
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Thanks Karen
It came as a shock even though I knew she had been for a screening test couple of weeks ago...it was a sobering thing to hear...Its not going to change our feelings for each other...but I cant help feeling sad that someone I loved so long is facing it on her own....thanks...Dan xxxx -
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But she'll never be alone, I know she will have you to lean on when she really needs it, and it's all anyone can do at a time like this, and believe me, she'll need it and want it more than ever....
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