After the Bad Cancer Diagnosis

by Karen Friedland


I’ve decided, herewith,
that I am on vacation
every day
for the rest of my days—
even when I have work to do,
even when I need to get paid.

Because truly,
each tree-breeze,
each bird-trill,
each dog-sigh

is unique and thrilling
and must be savored—
every cloud and each tree
a masterpiece.

So I’m pleased to announce that I’m on vacation
indefinitely—
alive, if inert,

bewitched by trees
on a hot summer’s day.


* * * * *

Once a grant writer by trade, Karen Friedland had poetry published in the Lily Poetry Review, Nixes Mate Review, One Art, and others. She has twice been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Her books are Places That Are Gone and Tales from the Teacup Palace. Karen lived in Boston with her husband, two dogs and a cat. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2021, two days before her 58th birthday, and died on April 14, 2024.