Article

The Guide’s Silhouette

Author(s):

Denise Sirchie

A breast cancer survivor writes a poem about a symbol of reassurance she saw while fatigued from cancer treatments.

Fatigue called my name

Treatments had flushed me of all energy

I lay in bed

Facing four windows

Seeing a chimney, tree tops

It was raining

Sounds of drops gurgling

Teasing the rain gutters

Dancing on leaves

Splashing in puddles

Cables attached to our home

Stretched inches from my window

A bird’s silhouette

Finding recluse from the wet

There it sat

Sometimes one leg attached

Sometimes both

I would doze in and out of slumber

Awakening it would still be there

My wondrous feathered spirit guide

Looking after me

Reassuring all would be ok

And it was

For that moment of solace and comfort

Gratitude

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