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.

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I Still Have My Wart

Ok people, the wart is still there.

Defiantly stuck to my toe.

Mocking 5 months of Chemo, drugs and radiation.

If anything, I expected this ugly bump to shrivel and die along with any fast mocking cancer cells - but no, like me, it is stubborn.

The wart apparently is here to stay.

Mimicking my own stubborn determination.

by Erin McGee Ferrell

ITCHY RIGHT

My right side is itchy.

Arm, Torso, Leg.

The left side is fine.

Why do the bugs only land on 1/2 of my body?

Perhaps brown-tailed mother's hairs land on our bed.

My side is closest to the window.

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

The Day Before T.H.A.N.K.S.G.I.V.I.N.G

Cabin warm despite no power.

Leftover Sylvester's on wood stove.

Angus newly sixteen.

New kitten watching us from above.

Thanksgiving cranberries on new picnic table.

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

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

STILL...VIEW

The 6am view from the bedroom, leads my eyes to quiet graves by sunrise.

Frantic thoughts and heart and panic attacks.

Rest my soul, my spirit, my mind, my heart, my life.

Let go of results, success, achievement, fame.

Be still with the spreading of WAX, punching in data, the baking of cookies.

Take note of my daughter's morning kiss, my husband's sacrifice, the doctor's empathy, the sunshine and my father's perfume gift.

Erin McGee Ferrell

Early Sunday Morning

Fresh New York Times,

Nate’s French Press Coffee,

Children in good places,

College daughters’ computer fixed,

My mom’s visit and her tulip gift robe with space heater and journal,

Sunshine through windows,

Erin McGee Ferrell