Today, I celebrate 8 years being cancer free. My breast cancer was detected in July 2005 during a routine mammogram. Early detection can save lives – please be diligent with attending your mammogram apppointment.
A couple of years ago, I discovered this poem by Londoner Jo Shapcott that on this day in particular expresses my thoughts and feelings about the whole thing to a tea:
PROCEDURE
This tea, this cup of tea, made of leaves,
made of the leaves of herbs and absolute
almond blossom, liquid touchstone which lets us
scent its true taste at last and with a bump,
in my case, takes me back to the yellow time
of trouble with blood tests, and cellular
madness, and my presence required
on the slab for the surgery, and all that mess
I don’t want to comb through here because
it seems, honestly, a trifle now that steam
and scent and strength and steep and infusion
say thank you thank you thank you for the then, and now
- Jo Shapcott
From Ten Poems about Tea
Candlestick Press