Ursula Kiernan
Naming!
‘It’s the Big C, I’m afraid!’
he said, as if already dead.
I did a swift gear change.
Cowboys and branding-irons?
Circle C Convenience Stores?
Customs & Excise?
Cheltenham & Gloucester Plc?
My grandchild, seeing my puzzled face,
piped up in clear sweet tones:
‘He’s got Cancer, Granny
that’s what he means!’
I marvel that in all the years
since I myself was young Claire’s age
we haven’t grown accustomed
to the plain unvarnished
word.
In my day it was Carcinoma
whispered through pursed lip
behind a. reticent
hand.
Now it’s the Big C,
In spite of the research, the literature
the special diets, the visualising
the chemotherapy and pain control
the epidmniology
we still deny ourselves
the power that comes with naming
and live in Rumpelstiltskin’s thrall
for want of the right word.
Try saying it quite softly
then a little louder:
CANCER
CANCER
CANCER
CANCER
You’ve said it. And survived!
Page(s) 73
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