Before We Know It…A Poem From Wildfire

Your eyes are blue, like the sky,
Before we know it, life passed us by.
Your hair is yellow, like the sun,
Before we know it, life is done.
Your cheeks are rosy, you are so sweet,
Before we know it, life’s complete.
Sent from heaven high above,
a beacon of hope, light, and love.
Your smile brightens up the room,
and radiates good in times of gloom.
You are an angel, this I know.
For my soul has told me so.
Before we know it, we’re saying goodbye,
as I join the stars in the sky.
Live your life, and have no fear.
Though you can’t see me,
I’m always near.

– Art by Masha Chernova

Emily Hopper. Mom, wife, fempreneur, and artist turned activist. Diagnosed at 31. Stage III, Triple Negative. In 2017, after Emily completed her treatment, she launched EMPOWERHAUS, an “alternative” breast cancer awareness brand. Having chosen not to reconstruct, she identifies as a “flattie” and is very active in the breast cancer and flat communities, founding her own Facebook group called “Flatties Unite” in 2018. Emily is a visible spokesperson for the breast cancer community. She has been interviewed by Catherine Guthrie, author of FLAT, as well as featured on several podcasts and blog articles.

Editor’s Note: This piece has been republished with permission from WILDFIRE Magazine, the 2018 “Parenting” issue (Vol 3, No 6, Copyright (c) December 2018 by Wildfire Community LLC). More information available at wildfirecommunity.org

Every month, Rethink will be sharing powerful stories and poetry from WILDFIRE Magazine. Use code RETHINK for 10% off anything in the WILDFIRE Shop.

WILDFIRE Magazine is the only magazine for young women survivors and fighters of breast cancer under 45 years old. Headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, WILDFIRE is a beautiful, story-based bi-monthly magazine published on different themes relevant to young women survivors, from stage 0 to stage IV. Beautiful and ad-free! Visit  wildfirecommunity.org for more info.