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

A single poem—heart-rending, fearful, raging, beautiful, grotesque, even hilarious—lets us know we're not alone in dealing with cancer. This was the idea that launched The Cancer Poetry Project and drew more than 1,200 submissions from published poets, first-time poets and everyone in between. The award-winning result is a national anthology of 140 poems, plus the story and people behind each. Hailed by critics and readers alike, The Cancer Poetry Project offers not lofty verse, but accessible, extraordinary poetry. From the hopeful “Farewell to Hair” (Terri Hanson) to the poignant “Slow Dancing at the Med-Inn” (F. Richard Thomas) to the laugh-out-loud “Empathetic Ode” (Dorothy Stone), there is a poem for everyone in this powerful collection. These are the words we long to say when someone we love is diagnosed. Cancer survivors find solace in its pages. And it is frequently used by cancer support groups. Truly, The Cancer Poetry Project is for anyone affected by cancer.

Karin B. Miller is a writer, editor, published poet and wife of a cancer survivor. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and three children.