we were enjoying a lunchtime plate of <br />potatoes, carrots, parsnips and beetroot, <br />all freshly dug from our allotment – <br />a shelter for wild birds, midges and crawly things - <br />listening to the one o’clock news <br />when the name Jane Tomlinson appeared <br />from the lips of the reporter <br />telling of her expected death <br />from breast cancer fought for 17 years <br />and of her immense bravery <br /> <br />cycling across American soil <br />raising a million pounds for charity <br />leaving behind, today, a legacy <br />filled with her joy of helping the world <br />and then the reporter spoke out <br />on those suffering from cancer <br />who do not have the capacity <br />nor the strength, nor the energy <br /> <br />to follow in her footsteps <br />and the girl jumped up and said <br />“all those people with cancer who mope <br />should get out there and have fun! ” <br />and I heard myself steaming, angry, <br />telling her she should experience cancer before <br />she accused those who were fighting the battle <br />against an enemy you cannot see <br /> <br />we do not mope <br />we find goodness in everything we see <br />and we thank God for giving us Hope <br />and a second chance<br /><br />Penny Hemans<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-second-chance-13/
