Dang! March 8th has come and gone, International Women’s Day, and what did I do about it? Not much. I went to work as usual, traveled for work with women friends over the weekend, a fun event out of the ordinary. Maybe that distraction is why I didn’t think to post anything. I certainly thought about that day. I always will. I will always remember that three years ago on that day a strong woman- a friend, neighbor, and colleague- celebrated her last radiation treatment. I know because I celebrated with her on the radiation ward. My own celebration was three weeks later, a year after losing a friend to breast cancer.
On the ward and on my way to and from the ward, I heard the stories of women. That March 8th, after my treatment, I wrote this poem on a scrap of paper while waiting at the airport for the fog to clear so I could return home. This poem is now hiding in plain sight in my book of poetry, For the Girls. So, four days late and a dollar short, here is my International Women’s Day share. We are a Universal power, y’all.
March 8; International Women’s Day
Some women
Some women had their last treatment today
Some their first
Some were untreated.
Some had heart attacks, some died
Some lived.
Some women felt dead inside
Others felt vibrant and alive.
Baby girls were born today
borne of women become mothers
While others became aunts, mentors, friends.
Today, and yesterday, and tomorrow.
Some will feel joy, some will feel sorrow.
Some women were betrayed today
Some endured violence and pain
Fell down, got pushed around
Got up, tried again.
Women endured today.
Some were supported, some were supportive
Some felt hate, some were hated.
Some gave love, some were loved.
Around the world, women endure
Some fall ill, some rise cured
Some are able to feel the hope and the good
Of a worldwide sisterhood.
Your poem is amazing. My mom also finished her treatment 3 years ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May your mom long enjoy good health. That must have been quite an experience co-writing When the Bombs Fell with her.
LikeLike
This is wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. That’s pretty much how it rolled out of my pen that day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s nice when that happens…actually better than nice! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I’m glad it works. It’s not perfect poetry, it’s irregularly formed; it just seems to grow into itself. I left it that way, which is maybe more appropriate for the subject anyway.
LikeLike
Women – all sorts. I hope your final treatment was sufficient to keep the beast away. Stay well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, all good. Once is enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope so. Hugs. xx
LikeLike