we were enjoying a lunchtime plate of
potatoes, carrots, parsnips and beetroot,
all freshly dug from our allotment –
a shelter for wild birds, midges and crawly things -
listening to the one o’clock news
when the name Jane Tomlinson appeared
from the lips of the reporter
telling of her expected death
from breast cancer fought for 17 years
and of her immense bravery
cycling across American soil
raising a million pounds for charity
leaving behind, today, a legacy
filled with her joy of helping the world
and then the reporter spoke out
on those suffering from cancer
who do not have the capacity
nor the strength, nor the energy
to follow in her footsteps
and the girl jumped up and said
“all those people with cancer who mope
should get out there and have fun! ”
and I heard myself steaming, angry,
telling her she should experience cancer before
she accused those who were fighting the battle
against an enemy you cannot see
we do not mope
we find goodness in everything we see
and we thank God for giving us Hope
and a second chance
Penny Hemans
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-second-chance-13/
