I was inspired to write this poem as I want the world to see that life is fragile. You don't know when cancer or adversity could blindside you on an ordinary day. The other side to cancer is that it teaches you to pause and look around and make someone's day happy because that moment will not come back. We don't know how many moments life will give us so don't waste any on being angry or upset. And so, I want to touch the "Outsider" to make them see what we have learned yet not have to tread adversity to get a glimpse:

The Outsider

I see them in the line up, I see them in the car

The ordinary people who cannot see my scar

They do not know the feeling of fighting just to live

No time to smile, say hello or compliment to give

Its all about the deadline or that last parking space

I wish they saw that they could be, the next to cancer face,

It changes all that rushing and that you can do it all

Friends and family hold you up when cancer makes you fall

Some would just feel awkward and talk of other things

Others talk of outcomes which intolerably stings

It is not that I want normal or return to who I was

Cancer opened up my eyes to change  from that because

I like the person who says hello and lets that car in lane

Or lets the person cross the road and even loves the rain

I don’t need a medal to accomplish every goal

Just the beauty of the moment to love life to my soul

To some, my story grounds them and they see another view

But many think that cancer could never affect you

To take a moment, you can learn just how this may feel

Don’t try to be demanding or speeding at the wheel

And be the kind who loves each day and helps so many needs

You’ll be surprised at who you are and where this attitude leads

The outsider’s not protected from what tomorrow has in store

Break down that shell and learn from me that life’s worth pausing for….