Pink You

He who breathes deepest lives most.

- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I never do like feeling helpless. I like being in control especially of my emotions. The not being able to do anything bit is not in my cup of tea. As I was coming from work, I met one of my friends. She always has a smile on her face, big brown eyes and is one of the sweetest people I know. From a far I could tell she wasn’t okay. She did smile though…a faint one. She looked frail and was holding a brown pack of painkillers. She was from the chemist. I offered to take her home because she wasn’t looking good. On the way we chatted and I asked her what was up. She told me she was in pain and she had been in and out of hospital. They had run tests and she wasn’t getting better. She was finally diagnosed with lymphoma. I was taken aback. And I asked of all the people… why her? I felt helpless.

There is a piece I did last year after one of my pals dared me to go pink. I know the pink ribbon is associated with breast cancer but there are other forms of cancer out there that affect women but these other diseases do not attract the same level of corporate—or consumer—attention. I won’t get into all that… so I will choose to pink you instead.

Pink you
Its one color
That stands out
Color that’s just it
It’s a bold one worn
Worn by fearless ones
One among many
It’s supple and imperial
It’s strong and virile
It’s feminine
Maybe it’s a flustered red
Or the start of a fiery red
Laced with intent
Of rising intensity
All with one finality
To fully subdue you
Surmount you with love
But there is a cause
Behind this pink
Seen tears shed
Loved ones go
We watch helplessly
As they fade away
We loose them
A fight rallied on
On this color
To stand up to cancer
So give me a ribbon
Put in my arm
Let it be a headgear
Let’s make a statement
A tinge of salmon
To love and drive
So pink me