She was dazzling
in the cosmetic department
getting lessons in drawing eye brows.
Her silver hair was cut
power short.
Stunning.
It emphasized her features:
glorious twinkling eyes
perfect nose
determined mouth.
Who needs make up
to add to that beauty?
Her hair set her above,
showed her panache,
made me smile,
and look twice.
Then she thanked the clerk
for the lesson,
set on a chemo cap
and her vitality
disappeared.
Shawn L. Bird 
… or only appeared to have disappeared. 🙂
Great poem
She went from looking powerful to looking like an invalid. It was a very clinical, very ugly chemo cap. It was like watching her walk into the cancer ward. I had actually gone up to her to tell her how fantastic and super powered she looked earlier. How I loved her power hair. She accepted the compliment, but made it clear it was only that short because she had just lost it all from chemo. She said she was doing well, and still fighting. She looked like a fighter, or more: a champion. A while later when she put on the cap, I felt so sad! She didn’t look like she was fighting in that ugly cap. >sigh<
I know. Been there — was bald once myself — 2006.
I tried caps and hats and wigs … but they were so uncomfortable I said, finally, “#$!~ it!” and gave up on the cosmetic “stuff”. And while I looked sick — looked like an invalid — I felt twice as alive.
But, that’s just my experience; everyone is different. 🙂
I’ll bet you looked as alive as you felt when you were bald. I hope you’re 7 years cancer-free?
I’ll (hopefully) have my five years next fall. Cross your fingers for me! (And toes.) (And say a prayer or two!)
Blessings on you.
Thank you 🙂
;( such an incredible poem…deep recapture of the motions.
Thank you
Why would she remove her wig and put on a chemo cap in the cosmetic department? I loved the poem up until this point where I just didn’t understand the sequence of events, .. or I couldn’t reconcile my lack of understanding. 🙂
She didn’t have a wig on. Her own natural, beautiful 1/4″ hair was stunning and amazing on her. She put on the cap when she went to leave.
Ah.. I get it! Thanks! It’s so fun to be able to ask the poet a question! 🙂
lol
Awesome!
I felt that. Well done.
I appreciate that comment a lot. Thanks.
Nice imagery!
Thank you.
Really great verse, Shawn. As for the cap…, maybe her head was cold ???
It was 20* yesterday, so probably not. I’m pretty sure she still thought of herself as bald and unattractive.
It is hard to imagine many people that do not know someone who has fought cancer. Thank God for Terry Fox who has taken us closer in the treatment and care of this terrible illness.
Indeed.
I actually think I said that wrong, but Terry’s story is amazing… He ran something like 2 dozen marathons in back to back days!!!! I had someone very close to me fight cancer as well, and it was hard to watch without being angry and extremely sad that it happens just like that.
I remember Terry’s Marathon of Hope very well. Terry ran an average of 26 miles per day (a marathon) for 143 days until he was forced to stop his run in Thunder Bay and return here to BC for treatment, as the cancer had come back and was into his lungs. That’s one hundred and forty three daily marathons: a truly phenomenal effort.
Terry is not the only one to do such a feat. Steve Fonyo ran 4 years after Terry did, raising $14 million for cancer in a 7900 km run across Canada over 14 months. I went and saw him when he came through our city. Unfortunately Fonyo has had a troubled life since his run in 1984, and his brushes with the law have over-shadowed his successful fundraising efforts.
Everyone has his or her own battles.
Challenge, love, awareness and persistence are the ideas that I started into my blog with. I think they definitely apply here. BTW – your poetry is awesome!!! Look forward to seeing more. I think sometimes when we are able to work together, battles fade. Nice when it works that way.
Reblogged this on tot123itsme.
I am deeply stirred by this write. Kudos to those lady survivors fighting and saying “this is what is happening right now” and not hiding away, it inspires us all.
There is so much strength out there.
I love it. Well done! Very descrptive and powerful, Shawn.
It was a powerful moment. Thanks. I hope I did it justice.