*Featured Poem* Nine Squares
Nine Squares is the title of a poem by Liz, author of the Paw Paw Salad blog, and when I read it today, I just had to share it with you. This poem speaks volumes…
Nine Squares
In morning breeze bandanas dance
Upon my washing line
Bright squares of cloth against blue sky
The pieces number nine.
Discovered, bought and sent to me
By mother, cousin, friend
They have been lying in my drawer
My treatment at an end.
Another woman needs them now
Though she has not met me
A friend of hers is friend of mine
And asked if they were free.
So sorry she has need for them
I’m glad to make the gift
I hope that in tough times ahead
They give her heart a lift.
Sun-warmed and dry, I take them down
And as each one I fold
I think: If I had magic powers
What blessings would they hold?
The first of them contains a wish
For doctors smart and kind
And nurses who bring calm and cheer
While veins they quickly find.
Two shields her from the toxins’ power
Keeps side-effects at bay
And lets her eat the food she loves
For strength along the way.
The third square hides a bunch of flowers
Some DVD box sets
Stacked freezer meals, a movie pass –
The treats I hope she gets.
The fourth reveals a gentle path
Well-blessed with birds and trees
And time for walks where she draws strength
From sunshine and the breeze.
Cloth number five seems empty, but
Its stillness is its gift
Space of her own when she needs peace
Through troubled thoughts to sift.
Cloth six is an enchanted cloak
Its warmth she can keep near
When all seems bleak its soft embrace
Will bring relief from fear.
Unfolding Seven blinds one as
Light bursts into the room
Bright rays of hope to bask in when
Her days seem filled with gloom.
Bandana eight falls open as
Within it shoulders shove
It’s crammed with friends and family who
Bring laughter, help and love.
Cloth nine never got ironed, lost
In joyful family strife
This bright and crumpled headscarf holds
Long, healthy, vibrant life.
Fantastic! Magic power #7 is my favorite. I”m going to pass this on to my friend who’s battling pancreatic cancer. Hope it moves her as much as it did me.
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Wow! Magnificent poem. My favorite is also magic power #7. This poem brought tears to my eyes.
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Oh, my! This poignant piece conjures up all kinds of memories. Very emotional for me. Thanks for posting it, Marie.
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I love the wording crafted by this talented poet. Thanks for sharing it, Marie. We are all blessed to have such gifted writers among our midst. xx
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Marie – I am incredibly touched to find this here, and am delighted that others have found it meaningful (hello, ladies!). It just kind of poured out of me the day that I laundered those bandanas – I actually scribbled much of it down while waiting to take my younger son home from his tennis class, on a notepad that I keep in my handbag (a refreshing change from using it to scrawl down “Questions for Doctor”!). The bandana handover (and tying demo) has happened now – unfortunately it took place at our local hospital, as the woman I wrote it for had developed neutropenia after her first chemo round and was on IV antibiotics. It felt so good to be able to support her in some small practical way, as well as the intangible ways that come with the sharing of such a difficult journey. I am happy to say that she is home now, and I’m looking forward to seeing her again. These scarves were such helpful and treasured gifts from people very dear to me – I like to think of this little poem as spreading their ‘bandana love’ in some small way, and hope it gets sent along to anyone who feels in need of some (or knows how it feels to need it!). A big wave to all your lovely readers from here in Darwin…Liz
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PS I hasten to stress that I mean ‘bandana love’ in a way that includes all who would benefit from cancer-related TLC, not just those who actually lose their hair!!
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This is such a beautiful poem Liz, I so enjoyed your imagery and symbolism, together with such a vision to pass on those loving thoughts and wishes to others. This would make a lovely film! I’m sending that wish up to The Universe to you this Full Moon May Morning. Thank you so much for sharing, and for all of us have suffered the indignities of hair loss through chemo, will be moved and inspired. Lots of love and courage, Christina xxxxx
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Well-done. Such beautiful symmetry.
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