Petals of Hope

A Journey through Doubt and Bloom

It was true The whispers of doubt where the clue

In our minds eye that death was standing in our path It didn’t add up when we did the math

We embraced the petals of hope A perilous action covered with thorns, yet it was a way to cope

A delicate flower in the throws of a storm Bracing for the sting of bees, that we knew could swarm

Waiting for results that could pierce my heart Some in the quiet, murmured be careful, it could be a deadly dart

Dark skies and rainy days The outlook was full of haze

The hands out time slowed to a snails pace We enveloped each other and sent up prayers of grace

A peal of ringing carried a message on the wings of a dove No evil cells that wage a battle within were found in my love

Oh Joy, oh joy My boy, my boy

A percentage that seemed so small to wager This positive outcome was so major

The rains had fallen Washing away all the pollen

A beacon of life force Is lighting our new course

My heart is leaping As I stop my sweeping

Petals of life were frozen for a time Now light of hope and belief are ready to climb

You are healthy as a lush garden in spring All the flowers begin to sing

With each unfurled petal, your life force grows stronger Be patient, your blooming will just take a little longer

The seeds of doubt did not take hold It was washed away to reveal nothing but gold

A warrior flower, that you are Still a beauty even with a long scar

The silent prayers were heard in the heavens Sending butterfly kisses by the sevens

May you prance, jump and play, no longer deprive For you have more to blossom in your garden of life.

I dedicate this poem to my dog, Duke. It has been 16 days since his life-and-death surgery, which happened very suddenly. He had internal bleeding from a mass that was found on his spleen. The surgeons had removed the spleen and mass. They were bracing us for the results of a deadly cancer that would kill in a matter of weeks or months if lucky. Duke has a 33% chance of the results being benign.

Three days ago, we received the happy news that he was benign and no follow-up was needed. Duke is still recovering from his major surgery, and we are learning that life with no spleen will not impact Duke much.

I wrote this poem to express that we all have our garden of life. With the elements that come our way, each flower, plant, and tree will blossom at its pace and will be affected by various diseases and illnesses. We tend the garden as well as we can, bracing for the seasons and whatever is in our plan. I would also like to thank all Medium members who sent positive healing vibes our way when I posted Duke’s story in 33% and A Prayer.

Thank you for helping me cling to hope.