Song of My Breast
by Noralyn Masselink
Cover Art by Endira Davis
Song of My Breast
"Song of My Breast," my friend had offered
as title for my poems
an Americanist, a Whitman scholar
ignorant of my grave distaste
for navel gazing narcissism
soaring song so self absorbed
page after page extolling youth
and perfect health
assuming what belonged to him
belonged to all the world
my breasts imperfect?
sketchy health
my yawp not so barbaric
content with less pretentiousness
I sing a simple lay
nor am I ready to bequeath myself to dirt
Table of Contents
Cancer
Context is everything
Northeast Medical Resort and Spa
Post-surgery Senryū
Nests
Two for the price of one
Saving Face and Keeping Abreast
ICD-9 Code 972.9
The Virgin Poke, central venous access
Port-A-Party
The Bald Facts
Haute Coiffure
Chemotherapy Riddle
Doxorubicin: Round Three
Why are they called “Rounds”?
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Cross Application
Blood Counts
In the time of chemo
Taxus brevifolia
Taxane Thumbscrews
Ungues
Euphemism at its worst
Morgue Storage Shelf
Awaiting Resurrection
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The Lives You Touch Publications
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