Poems by Erin McGee Ferrell

google facebook twitter ArtistAMERICAN.com

Erin McGee Ferrell

Professionally a Visual Artist for over 30 years, I occasionally have poems that come to me. Please look at my paintings, ArtistAMERICAN.com, and understand that both the pen and the paintbrush do the same job. One I am a master of, the other...poetry...a novice. The past year I have dealt with Breast Cancer. My collection of works on this site reflect this unexpected and difficult journey. The Pirate Crew Paper Doll Collection is a Breast Cancer Educational Tool featuring Ms. Mastectomy, Ms. Chemotherapy, Ms. Radiation, Ms. Oophorectomy, and Ms. BRCA2. These works are dedicated to all who have walked in this path.

All Poems Original Poems Translations

« ‹

…

3 4 5 6 7

Lopsided

My breasts are lopsided.

The silicone disks each doing its own thing.

The plastic surgeon was great and apparently at some point these gummy boobs settle.

I was going to show you a photo but then wondered if that would be porn.

But how are these things under my skin different than the steel plate in my wrist or my knee caps?

Interestingly, strange with a Frankenstein scar where a nipple should be. One breast an inch lower than the other. These pretenders are so funny.

by Erin McGee Ferrell

All In The Room

We are All In This Room.

Together.

Finally.

Angus home from West Point - painfully agreeing to spend 3 nights away from Athena at the cabin. Now reading Muscle Magazines next to me on the couch. We hiked up Mount Cardigan today with a foot of snow, then we gave two stranded hikers a ride back to their car. Fiona, quiet on our bed reading teen magazines.

All together now, just for a fleeting moment. I'm not under the illusion that this hour will last beyond the night.

Thank you God for this cabin, be it small and humble - it is our only property. I don't know the next time Angus will agree to be with us in this place.

by Erin McGee Ferrell

The Good Student

I am the good student.

I take notes and get my homework turned in on time; uncomfortable with failure, abiding by the teacher's every suggestion.

It’s the same with being a patient.

There is no courage involved - only checking off the to-do list; the team of teachers, the different classrooms and topics and learning new vocabulary and research.

I find myself Desperate for the pat on the back of a job well done, striving for the “A+,” upon completion.

by Erin McGee Ferrell

Crow

Thank you Crow for sitting outside my window.

You watch me closely.

I like your companionship.

I like your attention.

I like your shape.

Black against White sky.

Erin McGee Ferrell

#IFinishedTheRace

Running my first 5k without stopping to walk.

Internal mantra of strength and endurance.

I hate running but did it still.

Keeping a good pace, I pushed till the end and then sprinted to finish,

a strength unknown to me that I possessed.

Lord, may this race symbolise the weeks to come with endurance painting in MAINE.

Erin McGee Ferrell

Soft Into Tough

Carla told me that I am becoming tougher, less carefree. Whether it is a lack of Estrogen or experience; I will claim the 50's housewife into the cowgirl state.

❗Tough now - to not take crap and to be hurt.

❗To claim my truth and to state my need.

Erin McGee Ferrell

A Poem To Mark a Year Of Grief

A year has passed.

My son no longer wants to be home. Choosing Athena over his family. His bed only conforming to his body less than seven nights, in a couple of days he moves out, taking the clothes I've bought and washed and lovingly folded.

Angus, no longer needs us or wants us.

We are replaced and the pain cuts deep.

This poem marks the season of SE - not communicating, of hard liquor at the cabin and being deceptive, telling us she doesn't believe in Jesus and spitting on our treasures.

The Yes just passed, shining a light on Fiona's anxiety and her need for tools to help her with this.

Erin McGee Ferrell

Broken Together inthewaitingroom

You and I sit nearby, both in hospital gowns.

Never having met before, your neck is scarred and red.

This is my first day...

We talk in this early morning gathering.

by Erin McGee Ferrell