The Elephant in the Room is Cancer. Tea is the Relief Conversation Provides.

Poems

Our Herd submits poems that help them get through the day when fighting cancer. Some are inspiring while others are just to express how they are feeling.

Want to submit a post? Click Here.

Business As Unusual

by Madeline Bennett April 5, 2022

It is hard to resume
business as usual
when you’ve watched the clock’s hand
move toward midnight
as flesh

Read More...

No Fear

by Erin Phillips November 17, 2021

There’s a tattoo inscribed on my side. / It has today’s date -September 14th / 2001 / Twenty years ago. / Underneath the date are two words written in beautiful cursive / No. Fear. / I don’t know why I followed that date with that phrase.

Read More...

Letter to my Unborn Children

by Arely Acuna October 15, 2021

I always knew having you was a long shot, a thought, a wild dream / Yet night after night I prayed over my womb asking God to bless me with the gift of Life / I had dreams of feeling your every movement from within my womb / Hearing your heartbeat for the first time

Read More...

I’m Tired

by Jennifer Anand August 25, 2021

I’m tired. / Tired of 7AM dentist appointments so I won’t miss work. Every week, the receptionist asks me where I’m going afterwards, and I wearily say “to work.” / Tired of virtual doctor appointments during my lunch breaks. 

Read More...

Dear Cancer, I’ll Keep Winning

by Natalie Hilton July 2, 2021

You have taken away so many lives,
You even tried to take mine.
You have caused so many cries,
But God gave me a sign.

Read More...

Dear Cancer, Your Fingerprints Are Everywhere

by Marloe Esch RN, BSN, OCN June 11, 2021

What an unforgiving companion you are.
So nonchalant,
          so willing 
          to hollow out dreams.

Read More...

ABVD – A Poem

by Rachel Ford November 10, 2020

My life is fleeting. Lullaby songs turn to buzzes to the nurse, How deceitful a body such as mine, Hiding this horror so that. My life is fleeting, Red poison, fire spilling. Flooding into my veins so brutally beautiful. The scars on my body are reminders that.

Read More...

Into the Void: A Poem of Survivor Grief

by Carly Flumer August 24, 2020

A blanket of grief enrobes me as I talk with other AYA cancer patients. As I hear their stories, painful thoughts crash in waves and quickly make their way to the forefront of my mind, creating emotional turmoil. 

Read More...

Cancer Guilt: A Poem

by Jennifer Anand August 9, 2020

I feel guilty Waking up with all of my natural limbs. Getting ready unassisted Complaining about a bad day at work. Paying exorbitant medical bills   I feel guilty Yelling at my caring sister Seeing my family pictures ruined with my bald head Watching my brother evaluate his faith Hearing my mom demand nurses take […]

Read More...

Scar’s Falsehood

by Krishna Desai May 18, 2020

Each scar mocks the inner incomprehensive pain that once erupted under the skin. They almost serve as a lighter pigment to halfheartedly highlight the scar’s.

Read More...