This week’s poem, written as my son takes his first steps back to a normal young man’s life, after nearly two years that have been only about surviving. There isn’t much I can do to help him now, but rely on the goodness in other people.
Return
He has been through so much
Chemotherapy, radiation
Long days in isolation
Coughing phlem, tears, blood
He has lost so much
Hair, muscle, time, bone marrow
Youthful invincibility
He must now face the world
Knowing we enter and depart alone
Cruel, kind world
He embraces again
Frightening, wonderful life
People, please
Be kind to him
Kampala, 2018
Rilla, I will not try to express the feelings your words have aroused in me. God bless you and your son. xxx
Beautiful
Oh Rilla you have all come through so much! He will find his way and I believe his life will be so much richer for his experience. You are certainly bringing richness to others through your own experience. Your poems are inspirational!
It’s been a tough journey, I know and I wish you all a wonderful, positive, re-energising future with time to enjoy the ordinary.
May his spirits soar and his creative soul carry him to new heights as he explores the opportunities the next phase presents. And there will surely be people who will look out for him.
What a beautiful and moving poem you have written for him, Rilla.
You have all had such an ordeal and been through such trials, but, of course most especially the young man you write about. I admire him and wish him continued strength, joy, knowledge and love. It’s a beautiful heartfelt poem, thank you for sharing it.
I pray and wish he will find peace with the situation and hope the situation will improve and for the parents too to find inner peace.So many things we do not understand Rilla but later hopefully things get clearer for us. I belive in God and he knows the best for us.Pray that You Get the strenght You and Torben need together with your boys. With love