Creative Traditional:

[feralpen]

Dear Beth;

Yes I agree that you have survived a hideous trauma, I also agree that with attitude and inner strength you have battled heroically... but now your poem (to me) speaks of greater healing and yes... need. You need support and understanding for what you face from here. I was touched by your elation that your ability to write (or even the desire to) is returning. In putting down your thoughts, being true to yourself about your feelings and then sharing, that others might seek the comfort and kinship afforded by someone who has walked the walk, you give a great gift. Style, structure and form are presented very well in 'Breast Cancer', but sweetie, the content is open, honest and sincere. I'm sure that you will find that you have helped many with your selfless sharing. I do sense the beginning of emotional healing... that brings me a smile.

fp

[Beth Castillo]

The Following Text Is Quoted:

Originally Posted by nomadicrhymer

I am honored that you felt comfortable enough to share this with this community of your newfound friends...it is intensely personal, but we applaud the strength and hope and and sheer tenacity within the poem.

Thank-you ... of course I had to share it with you all, because obviously you understand the power of the form

The Following Text Is Quoted:

Originally Posted by feralpen

Dear Beth;

Yes I agree that you have survived a hideous trauma, I also agree that with attitude and inner strength you have battled heroically... but now your poem (to me) speaks of greater healing and yes... need. You need support and understanding for what you face from here. I was touched by your elation that your ability to write (or even the desire to) is returning. In putting down your thoughts, being true to yourself about your feelings and then sharing, that others might seek the comfort and kinship afforded by someone who has walked the walk, you give a great gift. Style, structure and form are presented very well in 'Breast Cancer', but sweetie, the content is open, honest and sincere. I'm sure that you will find that you have helped many with your selfless sharing. I do sense the beginning of emotional healing... that brings me a smile.

fp

Aw, that's well spoken, fp ... emotional healing is the hardest healing of all, I think ... it helps to have sympathetic friends ... thank-you.

Beth

[BekiLynn]

Beth, I am new here but I wanted to say what everyone knows, writing can be great therapy for getting throgh the hard times of our life and for celebrating when we come out the other side. My son died from cancer last year and I could not write until very recently.....so I understand that feeling. The best poem (in my opinion) I ever wrote is a villanelle and it t was also the one that took the longest to finish. I adore the form but am a traditionalist who feels you should not change the repeating lines, as someon e mentioned...part of the challenge of the form that draws me is finding 2 lines that bear repeating , that seem absilutely necessary to the poem and not just there for the sake of the form. I think your two original lines stand up fine. But again, that's a personal thing. Your poem is a message of hope.....we need those. Thanks for giving one.

[Beth Castillo]

Thank-you beki ... I think I may be a rebellious traditionalist ... no, actually, the woman who taught me the villanelle form never did her repeating lines identical ... I suppose I assumed the variation was acceptable. I'll probably continue occasionally messing with everyone by messing with those lines ...

also, thank-you for your kind encouragement.

[mangodroplet]

Wow!
I can't believe I missed this jewel.
I salute you for battling and beating cancer
You are a hero :]
*huggles*