Cancer taught me how to cry,
With sobs of pain and heaving shoulders,
Or silent tears that flow soft and hot,
Cancer taught me how to cry.
Cancer showed me myself,
And exposed all my deepest fears,
All the hidden corners, dark and scary,
Cancer showed me myself.
Cancer introduced me to time,
Not time measured by the ticking clock,
But time spent in quietness and contemplation,
Cancer introduced me to time.
Cancer made me appreciate my friends,
My family and all those around me,
That showed they cared and really loved me,
Cancer made me appreciate my friends.
Cancer showed me the face of death,
That monstrous countenance so implacable,
But softened through unsought acquaintance,
Cancer showed me the face of death.
Cancer is my secret teacher,
That sets me difficult homework,
And makes sure I learn my lessons well,
Cancer is my secret teacher.
(30/11/09)