Customer Reviews

Somebody's Bright Balloon

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a cancer patient, I found that these poems captured my experience in a profound way. I was lucky enough to see the poems prior to publication, and I shared them with everyone I could think of. They are so moving. One friend told me that she printed the poems and they became stained with tears. Like Jeff, I had the experience of being treated at the Mayo Clinic for salivary gland cancer, and I could not believe how much he captured--from the mundane details to the emotions. I recommend this book for anyone who has been touched by the serious illness, either as a patient or as the friend and family member of a loved one (I guess that includes all of us!)

As a nurse I have cared for cancer patients, often amazed at their ability to face pain, disability and suffering with hope, joy and a never-failing desire both to live every moment and to share their lives with others. As a writer, I know how difficult it is to write of such suffering without lapsing into sentimentality. In this beautiful collection, Jeff McCallum writes with honesty and clarity about his own journey through the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. He chronicles both moments of despair and moments of triumph; most of all he digs deep into the illness experience to make it accessible to all. Poetry lovers will find strong poems here. Patients will recognize their journeys and be strengthened and comforted. Caregivers will gain new insight into the hearts, fears and desires of their patients. This is a wonderful book.

If I had to name one thing I like best about McCallum's poems I would have to say it is his ability to describe with alternately calm and gut-wrenching insight the act of letting go in order to experience the journey of the unknown.

I gave my mother, recently diagnosed with cancer, a copy of Somebody's Bright Balloon. She said the poems gave her strength because she knew what she was feeling wasn't unique (or odd or crazy) and the poems made her feel less alone and afraid. She recognized herself in some of McCallum's poems since he writes about his own experience and with a keen observation of other patients and their caregivers.

A tradesman, carpenter, faces cancer then life itself. Life wins. He hammers out insights in the process of distracting his fear through words. Hard to drive nails waiting for your turn in the MRI. But his poetic nails tack down profound insights and take us on a journey.

For anybody with a cross to bear, a great read. Be warned. It is poetry. It is poetry on a mission.