Chemotherapy Road (Poetry)
21st October 2021
Tomorrow, Friday 22nd October 2021, a new Assisted Dying Bill will be debated in the House of Lords. This bill has been tabled by Baroness Molly Meacher, who is Chair of Dignity in Dying, the charity that is leading the campaign for a change in the law. Many of us have written personal letters to individual Peers expressing our views on this issue, and requesting that they please attend the debate and speak in favour. The success of this bill, with all its safeguards in place, will make dying in this country much more compassionate, giving control to the terminally ill should their suffering become too much to bear. Provided the process is administered according to strict standards set, there is no good reason for delay. An overwhelming majority of the public are in support, as are many GPs, surgeons and other health professionals. Celebrities are adding their voices for few among us haven't witnessed the cruelty of a drawn-out, painful death of someone we know and care about. The UK should join those other countries already allowing Assisted Dying, such as Australia, New Zealand and several US states. It has an already proven track record overseas. We are lagging behind in our legislation and it is high time we caught up.
The Great British Public are demonstrably compassionate in their views on this. Let us hope that the Members of the House of Lords prove equally so.
CHEMOTHERAPY ROAD
Throughout that long last night I watched
you sleep away what time you'd got
the gentle rise and fall of flesh
so rhythmic one might not have guessed
a war raged deep in pillowed hills
except for wires and troops of pills
and the dire weather threatened soon -
as dark clouds gathered casting gloom
How is it life can come to this?
What warning sign was there to miss?
Why would a being so alive
turn on itself and cells divide
in conflict causing pain and fear?
The game is up - the end draws near ...
We ranted loudly, punched the wall
which hurt and did no good at all
cried out for help, then joined the queue
who quietly did what victims do
led through the system test by test
by those insisting they know best
Reports on samples, x-rays, scans
the veto on all future plans
the loss of weight and thinning hair
more agony than most could bear
without the aid of drugs or drink
so hard to talk or even think
The one-way trip - no miracle
remission proved provisional
a breathing space - a brief respite
the drifting dusk ahead of night
then when the relapse took full hold
the horror surfaced uncontrolled
Day by day weak flesh undid
its body shape - in shame it hid
alarmed, appalled and in dismay
how swiftly self dissolves away
to leave a fragile travesty
of who a person used to be
The last lap to the cemetery
where most end up eventually
but you got there ahead of time
crossed the prayed-for finish line
and as you did I almost cheered
for the relief as death appeared
Your prize a winning funeral wreath
pale waxy lilies wilted grief
and cards expressed deep sympathy
as mourners chatted, sipped their tea
and looked at photos taken when
you had a smile to offer them
before you hit the road to run
that final chemo marathon
The Great British Public are demonstrably compassionate in their views on this. Let us hope that the Members of the House of Lords prove equally so.
CHEMOTHERAPY ROAD
Throughout that long last night I watched
you sleep away what time you'd got
the gentle rise and fall of flesh
so rhythmic one might not have guessed
a war raged deep in pillowed hills
except for wires and troops of pills
and the dire weather threatened soon -
as dark clouds gathered casting gloom
How is it life can come to this?
What warning sign was there to miss?
Why would a being so alive
turn on itself and cells divide
in conflict causing pain and fear?
The game is up - the end draws near ...
We ranted loudly, punched the wall
which hurt and did no good at all
cried out for help, then joined the queue
who quietly did what victims do
led through the system test by test
by those insisting they know best
Reports on samples, x-rays, scans
the veto on all future plans
the loss of weight and thinning hair
more agony than most could bear
without the aid of drugs or drink
so hard to talk or even think
The one-way trip - no miracle
remission proved provisional
a breathing space - a brief respite
the drifting dusk ahead of night
then when the relapse took full hold
the horror surfaced uncontrolled
Day by day weak flesh undid
its body shape - in shame it hid
alarmed, appalled and in dismay
how swiftly self dissolves away
to leave a fragile travesty
of who a person used to be
The last lap to the cemetery
where most end up eventually
but you got there ahead of time
crossed the prayed-for finish line
and as you did I almost cheered
for the relief as death appeared
Your prize a winning funeral wreath
pale waxy lilies wilted grief
and cards expressed deep sympathy
as mourners chatted, sipped their tea
and looked at photos taken when
you had a smile to offer them
before you hit the road to run
that final chemo marathon