The Cancer Poetry Project: Poems by Cancer Patients and Those Who Love Them [Paperback]

Karin B. Miller (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2007

A single poem -- heart-rending, fearful, raging, beautiful, grotesque, even hilarious -- lets us know we're not alone in dealing with cancer. This was the idea that launched The Cancer Poetry Project and drew more than 1,200 submissions from published poets, first-time poets and everyone in between. The award-winning result is a national anthology of 140 poems, plus the story and people behind each.
Hailed by critics and readers alike, The Cancer Poetry Project offers not lofty verse, but accessible, extraordinary poetry. From the hopeful Farewell to Hair (Terri Hanson) to the poignant Slow Dancing at the Med-Inn (F. Richard Thomas) to the laugh-out-loud Empathetic Ode (Dorothy Stone), there is a poem for everyone in this powerful collection. These are the words we long to say when someone we love is diagnosed. Cancer survivors find solace in its pages. And it is frequently used by cancer support groups. Truly, The Cancer Poetry Project is for anyone affected by cancer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This collection is so poignant, so honest, so cellular, I could barely read more than one poem at a time without pausing for my heart to heal. -- NAPRA ReView, May/June 2001 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

In October 1997, Thomas J. Miller was diagnosed with cancer. Miller's wife, Karin---a writer, editor, and occasional poet---found that writing poems helped her cope with her emotions and fears during her husband's treatment and subsequent recovery. Karin was convinced that there must be others who would, like her, find their experiences with cancer best expressed through poetry. So began The Cancer Poetry Project---a national effort to collect a range of poems that captured the cancer experience. Included are poems with a wide range of themes including accepting a new body, accepting death, dealing with anger, celebrating recovery, fear, denial, grief---even finding humor amid cancer's trauma. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Tasora Books (September 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097899468X
• ISBN-13: 978-0978994686
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #340,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A NECESSARY book for everyone touched by cancer, May 22, 2001

By 

Carolyn (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cancer Poetry Project: Poems by Cancer Patients and Those Who Love Them (Paperback)

From I ENTERED THE ROOM, NAKED on the first page to WALK ME INTO THE MORNING on the last, this marvelous book compels the reader to enter its pages, to go step by step through the book, one poem at a time, to feel the joy, the hope, the anger, the terrible sorrow, the wonder and even the humor of those who crafted the poems: cancer patients and survivors, their friends and family members, doctors and nurses and others who find poetry to be the best way to speak of their experiences and their deepest feelings.

You will need to buy more than one of these books: one for yourself, and others to share with those in your life who need to read it; you will know who they are.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional, honest and hopeful!, August 9, 2001

By 

Cathy Hoffman (Harris, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cancer Poetry Project: Poems by Cancer Patients and Those Who Love Them (Paperback)

The roller-coaster of emotions on the cancer journey for patents and their loved ones are captured here in vivid detail. I was overcome by tears, saddened by the struggles of the poets, heartened by survivors who keep on with life as they are able. I have to read it in small pieces, and chew over the words, feel the feelings, and reflect on my own life through the poetry found within. For me, a breast cancer survivor, this book is daily reading! The poems are written by beginners and professionals, short and long, some heavy, some light in their words. Equally compelling are the biographies/stories of the authors from around the United States. I encourage you all to read it, whether you know someone with cancer of any other chronic illness or not--and give as a gift to those who struggle with those illnesses. It is full of hope in the midst of loss, of encouragement for the bad days, and of light in the midst of the dark unknown that cancer is for so many.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hopeful & Affirming, October 3, 2001

By 

sarah watkins (St. Paul, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cancer Poetry Project: Poems by Cancer Patients and Those Who Love Them (Paperback)

The Cancer Poetry Project offered me hope and affirmed feelings I have experienced. It is a book for survivors, caregivers, friends and clinicians. I felt inspired by the poetry and the profile of each author. I also thought the book was REAL. Authentic people writing about raw emotions as each is on her own journey.