Poems by Erin McGee Ferrell

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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

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Under Barbed Wire

We watch them crawling necks on earth.

Barged wire scratching and pricking backs.

Ranger school promo video demonstration of a snake, subtle and in war; while you my army sun, crawl on your stomach, so will I.

Trying hard to avoid pain of barbs. Through a ranger challenge or different sort. Chemo and radiation - an ordeal of strength, a trial of fitness and the irradiation of weakness.

by Erin McGee Ferrell

Two Weeks Done

I can sleep on my side.

I can slowly ride a stationary gym bike.

I can shower.

I can make my bed.

I can begin trying to stretch my arms.

I have to wear a special bra for four more weeks.

by Erin McGee Ferrell

POTATO Women

Women without hair.

Face rounded by a bit of bloat.

We all start to look the same.

Pale and Lumpy with ears and bumpy head.

We are Potato Women. It is what it is.

by Erin McGee Ferrell

Chest Port

Yesterday a nurse surgically implanted a disk in my chest.

Tubes under skin stretch artery to neck.

The purpose? To bypass arm veins during Chemo and blood work.

Today, neck sore, movements limited and recovery stepped back.

Heart easily accessible for every new task.

***

by Erin McGee Ferrell

GoldFishCracker

Sitting close on the couch, she offered the toddler on my lap a cracker.

This child wanted nothing more than to cling to me afraid of the stranger.

We both knew it had been too long.

No Acholi first WORDS.

A grandmother unrecognised.

"Please bring her here tomorrow too. I need her to know me."

Erin McGee Ferrell

Yoga Pants

At the airport today, my daughter met her group travelling to China.

"Where is your passport", I asked.

It is here, she motioned, patting the waist band of her pocket-less yoga pants.

Visions of air-plane toilet unit with documents plunging into the blue liquid, flood my mind - or worse, public Chinese restroom with hole to nowhere in the floor.

Please daughter, use your backpack.

Erin McGee Ferrell

I'm NOT Buying Soup

I used to buy soup...

For the food offering basket at church.

I used to be a foster parent...

Sacrificing time, money, and emotions for children needing a home I used to give away gum and coin.

by Erin McGee Ferrell

Dust in Sunshine

On this beautiful morning with the sun shining, all the dust in my house show up made visible.

What I thought was neat, actually cornered with dog hair and grit, overwhelming on my already busy dog.

No way to keep up.

Erin McGee Ferrell