Exactly one month ago today I had a full-on hysterectomy as a result of the discovery of very early stage endometrial cancer. The ample support that I received from family and friends arrived with quirky, loving, and tender care - prayer candles lit on an Hawaiian island. One Mormon friend fasting. Baptists in Texas doing what, I'm not sure exactly.
Among the myriad and personalized gifts that arrived were cell phone snapshots sent daily by a friend whose photos I have long admired. Thus, I became the recipient of a literal (virtual) flower a day.
Post surgery and back on my feet, so to speak. I've set myself an intention to pen haiku (or whatever marginally resembles same) to accompany each individual stem.
I begin:
(for Bob and Delaney)
If you peek into
the center of pale withdrawn.
You will spot the dew
Among the myriad and personalized gifts that arrived were cell phone snapshots sent daily by a friend whose photos I have long admired. Thus, I became the recipient of a literal (virtual) flower a day.
Post surgery and back on my feet, so to speak. I've set myself an intention to pen haiku (or whatever marginally resembles same) to accompany each individual stem.
I begin:
 |
| photo: Marcy Albin |
(for Bob and Delaney)
If you peek into
the center of pale withdrawn.
You will spot the dew
there. Tentative as
fear. One day to surgery
fear. One day to surgery
and puckered charcoal
eye readies to be
plucked from delicate diseased.
plucked from delicate diseased.
Cervix splayed. Little
regret holding this
taut breath at the hidden stem.
Damp organs clipped from
Damp organs clipped from
memory’s hoops. Pink weeps
in blue terra cotta in
in blue terra cotta in
the side yard. Brave beads.
ah, and brave the breaths shared of "damp organs clipped" ... thank you for opening this door of your life to us, my friend...
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