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!
