Wednesday 16 March 2016

Terry Fox (March 16, 2016)

www.cbc.ca
A man
Who shared
His dreams
And hopes.

With a nation
And later
It grew globally.

By making
The impossible
Possible.

Whose inspirational
Marathon of Hope
Has provided
Many miraculous cures
For the disease
That claimed him.

Sadly
His passing
Came too early
At the age
Of 23.

As we honour him
Every September 30th
With our own
Marathon of Hope
In thanks.

Therisa © 2016

Author's note: For more information, about the life and times, of Terry Fox, please click on the following link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fox

For myself, writing this poem, has brought many tearful memories, from 1980 and 1981, as a young child, Terry was, an inspirational figure, who challenged society's view, on cancer survivors. Can remember watching the news, when Terry's death was reported, hearing the choked up emotions, in Knowlton Nash's voice.

On both sides, of my family, cancer has stricken and killed love ones. During my second year, at Carleton University, in Ottawa, Ontario, my mentor (who worked, with the learning disabled community) died, from cancer. Myself, I am, a survivor of a cancer scare, at the age of 16.


12 comments:

Susan said...

Thank you for sharing this saint with us!

Therisa's World said...

Your welcome, Susan, and thank you.

Sanaa Rizvi said...

This is such a touching poem. I echo the sentiments.
Thank you for sharing Therisa!

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Oh what a WONDERFUL response to the prompt, kiddo. Wow. Perfection. I remember how all of Canada loved this beautiful young man.....so full of dreams and hope...our hearts collectively broke when he had to stop his run and go into hospital........not many young people of 23 fire the hearts of a nation like he did - or are still well known and beloved so many decades later. School kids still learn about him............I LOVE your response to the prompt, Therisa.

Truedessa said...

Saints are truly out there they come from all walks of life. Cancer is a real beast and so hard to battle.

Myrna R. said...

Therise thank you for celebrating this life. I have several cancer survivors in my family and had a sacre several years ago too. Lovely poem.

purplepeninportland.com said...

Thank you for this wonderful tribute, and for sharing a part of your heart with us, Therisa.

Jae Rose said...

A great tribute - sometimes the most inspirational people are those close to home

Anonymous said...

Terry was an inspiration and an incredible young man. This is a beautiful tribute, Therisa. Thank you. Walter.

Therisa's World said...

Your welcome, Sanaa.

Therisa's World said...

Thank you, Sherry. Ultimate irony is, his type of cancer is totally treatable now, thanks, to the money raised by his effort.

Therisa's World said...

Your welcome, Myrna, and thank you.

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