The Cancer Poetry Project: Poems by Cancer Patients and Those Who Love Them - Softcover

Miller, Karin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1577491009 ISBN 13: 9781577491002

Publisher: Fairview Press, 2001

Synopsis

An anthology of cancer-related poetry from survivors, family caregivers, and health care providers.

About this title

From the Publisher

In October 1997, Thomas J. Miller was diagnosed with cancer. Miller's wife, Karin---a writer, editor, and occasional poet---found that writing poems helped her cope with her emotions and fears during her husband's treatment and subsequent recovery. Karin was convinced that there must be others who would, like her, find their experiences with cancer best expressed through poetry. So began The Cancer Poetry Project---a national effort to collect a range of poems that captured the cancer experience. Included are poems with a wide range of themes including accepting a new body, accepting death, dealing with anger, celebrating recovery, fear, denial, grief---even finding humor amid cancer's trauma.

From the Author

Three years ago my husband, Thom, was diagnosed with cancer. We were devastated. We followed the recommended protocol of surgeries and chemotherapy, gathered our loved ones around us, and asked for prayers. Thankfully, Thom has been cancer free for two-and-a-half years.

During and after this emotional roller coaster, I wrote poetry---fearful, angry, humorous, helpless, and ultimately, triumphant. At one point, I remember thinking that a book of cancer-related poetry should exist, but I felt sure I could not write one myself.

Then one morning, I was awakened before dawn by the idea of The Cancer Poetry Project. The details had come to me like a gift from God: I would invite people to submit cancer-related poetry, then publish the best poems in an anthology.

The submissions first arrived in trickles and streams---five, ten, twenty at a time. Soon the Project received about a hundred poems a week. Initial giddiness at the huge response quickly turned bittersweet at the realization of just how many of us are affected by cancer and how great the need is for this anthology.

The poems in this book are individual acts of courage that lend a voice to the remarkable human spirit. It has been my honor to read and select them.

Edition details

• Publisher: Fairview Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1577491009
• ISBN 13: 9781577491002
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 192