Rhyme and Design

These poems and artwork have been taken from a book called 'Rhyme and Design'. This was prepared by many people who have been affected by cancer.  It was designed to help and support others through challenging times.  The Peninsula Cancer Network would like to thank everyone who helped contribute. 

Please click on the poems on the left to view

For a free copy please contact us on pcn@nhs.net or 01803 860 660

FOREWARD FROM OUR POET PANEL

HARRY GUEST

Reading these poems is an intensely moving experience.  13 people have been courageous enough to come to terms with what they have gone through, daring to analyse pain, fear and danger with honesty, hope - and even humour. 

Some have by-passed present concerns by recalling walks taken on Dartmoor, inventing private myths or focusing on one day in early winter when the river was 'too choppy for swans'. 

Some wryly bless the NHS; "It's churlish to moan, the treatments all free".

Others pit life against death, refusing to abandon dignity in the face of disease, insisting on a private attitude, telling fellow - sufferers to "look at what you can still do" not "focus on your losses".  One poem is called 'Fighting Back' the other gives us 'Lessons Learned from the Edge'.

These pages contain grief but also celebration.  Nothing is shirked or hidden under the carpet.  Readers will learn much about bravery, stoicism - also sheer common sense - and close the book feeling admiration and humility.

PETER AND ALICE OSWALD

It has been a privilege to choose the poems for this book.  Some of them are simple and raw others are expressively accomplished.  But because they were all written in the context of illness, they are all, without exception, incredibly moving.  Poetry has always been a healing art.  As poets ourselves, we find it wonderful to see how people turn to poetry at moments of extreme challenge.  We hope that the readers of this book will gain as much comfort and strength their voices as we have.