Article

Finding Acceptance of Cancer

A psychotherapist who underwent a bilateral mastectomy writes a haiku about finding acceptance of cancer.

I am a psychotherapist who has had bilateral mastectomy. I work with many clients who are grappling with their own cancer experiences. In order to be helpful to and focused on my clients, I need to find my own acceptance of cancer through meditation, my relationships and writing.

Three Calm Haiku

I like the nuisance birds,

starlings, blue grackles. I can’t

get mad at cancer.


The rabbits return

to the moon. The pair, up there,

light the whole night sky.


Thank you, tiny white-

flowered weed, for holding soil

through this long winter.

This poem was originally submitted for the CURE® 2021 Poetry Contest.

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