Ready to Fly

This is a poem I wrote in Bonnie Maurer's "Healing Power of Writing" breakout session during the Cancer Support Community's Survivors Symposium that I attended a couple weeks ago.  We were given about ten minutes to write a poem using "I am" to begin each sentence. 

Ready to Fly

I am suddenly a changed woman.
I am breast cancer woman.
I am a HER2+ and ER+ woman.
I am a surprised woman.
I am a scared woman.
I am a tough decision making woman.

I am suddenly a changed woman.
I am a humorous woman.
I am a strong woman.
I am a tough woman.
I am a don't need help woman.
I am superwoman.

I am suddenly a changed woman.
I am a scarred woman.
I am a woman without breasts.
I am a woman with little hair.
I am a woman who doesn't feel beautiful.
I am a woman whose body has changed.

I am suddenly a changed woman.
I am an accepting woman.
I am a woman who had cancer.
I am a woman who grew new wings.
I am a thriving woman.
I am ready to fly.

~Lori Tragesser

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