Doc's poem a tribute to survivors
Dr. Jerome Spunberg is a radiation oncologist who has worked in South Florida for more than two decades. He is a poet and wrote a poem for a group of survivors in 2002. He showed it to me and I thought the sentiments were still applicable 10 years later. Here is a tribute to survivors -- past, present and future:
Our lives are unpredictable, so little we control
So much is still a mystery -- our origins, our soul
We often pause to wonder why things happen as they do
We all must face our challenges, it could be me or you
But how we play the cards we're dealt, is something we control
We're often really unprepared to play our given role.
We often learn right on the job, the job that must be done
In caring for someone we love, a mother, a friend, or son.
We all are born with instincts, chief among them to survive
There is a force within us pushing us to stay alive
A force we're not aware of until threat of death appears
A force that helps us overcome our squeamishness and fears
A force that moves you to go on, when you feel like turning back
A force that keep you on the path, like horses on a track
A force that makes you stronger than you ever thought you'd be
A force that's inspirational, that sets your spirit free
And all of you are testament to courage at its best
The courage to put pessimism, hopeless to rest
The courage that inspires you to go that extra mile
The courage to come in that day, when you would rather quit
The courage to get up and walk when you would rather sit
The courage to sit down to eat, when food has no appeal
The courage to go on with life no matter how you feel
To celebrate how far you've come, how much you have endured
So much doubt, uncertainty, the outcome not assured
To reach this point, to stand up proud, knowing that the way,
The secret to survival is to take it day by day
And so we now salute you, for you all we do admire
Your presence here is moving, you encourage, you inspire
You are a prime example of the heroes we can be
The strength that we discover as we face adversity
So raise your glasses high and toast the heroes that you are
Ordinary people with the strength to get this far
Living proof to everyone that we all have the drive
To live life to the fullest, yes, able all, to survive!
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Dr. Melanie Bone is a cancer survivor and gynecologist who practices in West Pal Beach. Have a question? Go to http://www.cancersensibiltyfoundation.org/ or PalmBeachPost.com/health (click on the 'ask a question' link). Any questions submitted to Dr. Bone will be considered for her column. You may also visit http://www.cancershopusa.com/
The courage to put pessimism, hopelessness to rest.
The courage to wake up each day, and try to wear a smile
The courage that inspires you fo go that extra mile
The courage to come in that day, when you would rather call it quits
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