This poem sprouted from the soil of another’s pain.

I have a friend enduring an intense trial with a nasty form of cancer and she recently posted a picture from her

I have a friend enduring an intense trial with a nasty form of cancer and she recently posted a picture from her head shaving moment. The scene was full of smiles and hugs, and there was pile of hair on the floor. I appreciated the juxtaposition of joy and suffering and I was inspired to form my thoughts into a poem.

The idea of hair being a woman’s glory comes from the Bible and after thumbing through a few passages I grabbed the pen and started to write. I sent the poem to my friend and then she asked me to share it with others, along with the picture of her first post-chemo haircut in hopes it might encourage others in the fight. I share that hope.

“Glory on the floor”

Like a blood-stained canvas
the floor tells a story
of combatants
of struggle
of desperation
of survival

There was
pain, but no flinching
fear, but no cowering
no backing down
no bowing out
no quit

there was a fight
there was a fighter
the story’s on the floor

No fighter walked away whole
the fight demanded sacrifice
it fell
like knees before an altar
the true cost
dropped to the floor

Not in arms raised
not in accolades
not in triumph
those come when the fight’s over
the glory of the fighter is
blood on the canvas
sweat on the mat
tears on the carpet
hair on the floor

Marred by the struggle
recognized by the sacrifice
signs of an unwelcome fight
evidence of the price paid

Courage in the heart
resolve in the eyes
glory on the floor