The Warrior (or After Surgery)

Reluctantly, I force myself

to stand before the mirror,

stripped of all artifice,

naked except for earrings.

Reminded of a warrior after many battles,

I note the scar stretching 

from sternum to armpit,

fading now but marking

where once there was a breast.

I feel unbalanced, bereft,

but then I see the head,

eyes watchful,

able to enjoy color and form;

ears, somewhat large,

but able to hear bird-song and blues,

Beethoven and Brahms;

mouth, lopsided and quizzical,

but able to converse 

and even sing a bit.

The top of the skull

is covered by wispy, graying hair.

Within it is a brain

with thoughts and emotions, 

and most of all

the ability to enjoy,

to appreciate, and to love.

So I honor the gift of my Maker,

who made me in Her image,

and the gift of time

to enjoy Her creation a little longer.

© Peg Latham,  1993

Mrs. Prince, after surgical removal of a breast
Watercolor of a woman operated on for breast cancer, 1841
from Wikimedia Commons
via Wellcome Images