The River
I’ve been on this river before
I’ve ridden its rapids,
I’ve drifted to shore.
My boat had cracks
they’re patched up now.
Someday they may spring a leak
again
Let me carry you,
till then.
I’ve been on this river before
there is danger
round the bend.
Guard your paddles,
prepare for war.
The rapids pass fast and beyond
dark currents lie beneath
My boat might sink,
before the end
Let me carry you
till then.
I’ve been on this river before
it’s a lonely place to be.
Come,
climb into my boat,
she’ll carry us both
till we reach the ocean’s glen.
And I will carry you,
till then.
Robin Goode. Fulbright program manager. Diagnosed at 27. IDC, Stage I, Triple Negative, just six months after a clear breast exam. Now finished with treatment, Robin is adjusting to life after cancer and continues to define what that means day by day. She lives with her partner and lifesaver, J, in Brooklyn.
To read more of Robin’s stories, click here.
This piece has been republished with permission from WILDFIRE Magazine, the 2020 “CHANGEMAKERS issue (Vol 5, No 1, Copyright (c) February 2020 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.
