A friend of mine started 6x3 cycles of chemo on Monday for a triple positive invasive breast cancer. After she bemoaned the need to abstain from various foodstuffs she enjoys (especially soft cheese, but emphatically not kimchi) I wrote her this poem. She is very happy for me to post it. I hope you enjoy.
Btw, I wasn't sure what the rules are re cross-posting from the Express yourself forum. I went with 'beg forgiveness' rather than 'ask permission'!
You can keep the kimchi
For Penny
When chemo’s done, I’ll drink a sea
of whole untreated milk in tea.
I’ll eat a Ferris wheel of Brie,
but you can keep the kimchi.
I’ll feast on oysters, meat done rare,
eat frites with moules marinières,
break bread in molten Camembert,
but you can keep the kimchi.
I’ll wolf down Wiltshire ham for two,
quaff casks of home-made scrumpy brew,
scoff sourdough toast with Danish Blue,
but you can keep the kimchi.
Bring cockles, mussels live-alive-o!
Eggs Benedict would fill a hole
or licking out the mixing bowl
then gorging on a Gorgonzol-
a — you can keep the kimchi.
Salami, sushi, scallops, clam,
smoked salmon, mayo, mousse, meringue,
prosciutto, pâté, Parmesan,
just
kindly keep the kimchi!
Hi GreenTomato and welcome to Macmillan.
Thank you for sharing your poem and it’s fine to post this in more than one group-more people will see it that way.
I know I smiled reading it and I’m sure others will too-it’s very clever! Do you write a lot of poetry or was this a one off? I’m sure your friend will have appreciated it, so hope you might be able to do some more.
Sarah xx
It’s a long time since I’ve written any poetry myself, but I do love reading it and you’ve raised another smile here with the parts which didn’t make the cut!
My life also involves a lot of food I can no longer eat which I previously enjoyed-a reflection of health conditions other than my cancer-so perhaps I should think about penning an ode to the grapefruit, which is on my banned list!
Can I also add, I think this is a lovely way to support your friend.
Sarah xx
I’ll need to give it some thought, or maybe some thought in general to writing a poem again- it’s been a long time so I think I’ll need to get my thinking cap on! But I do hope to read more of your writing.
Sarah xx
