Island Bay

 

I wrote this poem while going through chemo in 2007. I realised that even when I felt terribly ill, that if I walked by the beach on a sunny day, I felt that life was good.
x Andrea

Island Bay

 

I walk along

the coast and look out to sea

blues of the ocean

waves rolling along

hues of the land

Island Bay

a Cathedral

 

A Letter to my Nana

Dear Nana,

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve talked to you. I know you know how important you were to me and it doesn’t need explanation. But it’s nice to sometimes give symbols to show how I feel about you. I sometimes go to your grave and have a chat but it’s over an hour of driving. I know you understand that. Also, the cemetery is often busy with all the other grandchildren and family who want to pay homage to you. I like quiet and reflection and this letter seems more apt.

Some of my writing inspiration team

A photo of me, Serena and Rochelle.

A Letter to my Cancer

On 10 January 2014, I had a letter published in the DomPost Summer section:

Dear cancer,

When I first found out about you, I was so scared. I felt you held this enormous amount of power and were incredibly evil. I just wanted you gone at any costs. I couldn’t stand to think about any of your cells in my body.

Over time, I relaxed with you a little. I realised that a few cells here and there were okay and actually, I had to die of something at some point. I started thinking about death and realised that I had achieved a lot in my life and would be okay about dying if I had to go. I eventually started to realise how you brought the gift of valuing time and my life into sharp focus with your arrival.