Cervical cancer survivor Jacqueline Meehan used poetry to get through her own experience. Now she wants to help others share their own poetic insights, which she is collecting to be published in a book down the road. Here are a few of her poems. Submit your own to be considered for inclusion in the book at www.poeticvoices.org.

Treatment is Over

My cancer treatment is over for now

Shouldn't I feel exuberant?

Well, I don't

I feel a confusing mixture of feelings:

Fatigued from the ordeal

Anxious about returning to work

Sad that the recovery period has ended

Grateful that I am healthy

Scared that I don't have the energy to perform

Grieving the loss of my uterus and fertility

Outwards, I may appear happy and positive

But inside I am crying

Just getting through took all my strength and courage

And I am left depleted

I now need a vacation to recover from recovering.

The Hole Inside

A pretty woman

Smart and articulate

Friendly and kind

What was her sadness?

She had a hole inside.

She sought out help

To repair the hole

From doctors to therapists

Strangers to friends

It could not be fixed

She would have it til the end.

The hole had formed

As a result of cancer

It's devastating effects

Had changed her life

She was no longer able

To be a "reproductive" wife.

Babies and mothers

Seen on a daily basis

Reminded her of the hole

Pain grew inside

Even tears could not console.

She found it difficult to fit

Into motherhood society

She would seek other avenues

For the end result

But sadly for her,

The hole is always felt.

Can't Juggle Like I Used To

I can't juggle like I used to

I can't run the long distance

I can't always speak with diplomatic words

I can't always do the right thing.

Since cancer

I feel overwhelmed

I just can't keep up

With the hectic pace of life.

Some days I trick my mind

Into thinking I am normal again

But the depression and lows

Push reality into my face.

Every morning I mount the treadmill

Some days I have success

But others, I jump off

With tears streaming down.