~ Poems of Love ~

The following poems have been written by me, for my husband Hamada, who suffered from Multiple Myeloma [IgG Kappa] a cancer of the plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow. After many months of chemotherapy, contracting pneumonia twice, once given only twelve hours to live and having three bad fractures to his spine and also showing in his Pelvis, he made it to four years seven months. The Multiple Myeloma attacked his Kidneys first showing at diagnosis in May 2006 leaving Hamada only a small percentage of kidney function. He never complained, using his most amazing smile even when I knew he had severe pain. Hamada underwent a Stem Cell Transplant using his own 'harvested stem cells' . During October 2007 he spent seventeen days in the "Centre For Clinical Haematology" at Nottingham City Hospital UK. where he achieved this transplant. We had a scare at six months after transplant, when told 'the beast was back' but subsequent tests showed a partial remission. Again in early 2009 it was confirmed that Hamada was out of remission He fought again during 2010 with newer chemo type drugs. First with Velcade and then with Revlimid but to no avail. His Kidneys were failing further and Hamada chose not to have dialysis. This blog contains poems and updates, written for Hamada, telling of our life together.
Now a beautiful book has been published, see http://www.susiehemingway.com/books/
showing Hamada's personal fight against Multiple Myeloma in the first fifty 'poems of love' written by me his wife. I hope you like these poems of love and also 'our story' dedicated to Hamada, who passed away peacefully at home on 23 November 2010 after a most courageous fight against Multiple Myeloma.

20 April, 2010

Just Quietly Watching by Susie Hemingway




You watch your family well my love
with twinkling fervency of pride,
not much I’m sure escapes those beaming eyes
whose rays emit relentless joy.

The room is filled with noise and bustle
laughter amid the smell of pungent food delights
and scents of Capri Fig Frangipani
as candles burn long into the night.


Your efforts never go unnoticed not in my eyes,
burden of encumberment hampers movement,
such little comes now from tired voice
but eyes embrace it all.
Just quietly watching... makes you the man so tall.


My heart suspends this time as softly plays
the husky subtle pleading of Lamontagne,
good French wine is poured amid the illuminated sounds
of laughter as we count our blessings
of these vibrant days, bathed in burnished sunlight
of joyful laughter with you.


I glance across at your smiling face,
just quietly watching...



All rights reserved.
Written after the weekend stay of Patricia Caron Hennebaut.

12 comments:

Sandy said...

In the silence between the phrases I hear the unspoken words and it catches my breath... another powerful image/essence delivered. Simply, but eloquently, put.

Elizabeth @ The Garden Window said...

Susie,
this is simply amazing - so much said in so few words. Beautiful !

Tabor said...

It is one thing to be able to observe life's passages, but more exceptional to put what touches us so deeply into words such as you do.

aslan said...

It's the best picture of life and
every thing beatiful!...With my best
wishes to family.

Michael Morse said...

Such strength, courage and grace I've seldom experienced.

And Hamada is pretty okay too!

Barry said...

Simply said but utterly profound. And very moving.

The eye of a poet sees deeply.

Susie Hemingway said...

@ Sandy, Yes so many unspoken words in this poem but in my mind the gaps are filled with these special memories and so the diary of this time continues - bless you for your continued support.x

Susie Hemingway said...

@ Elizabeth @ The Garden Window:
Bless you for your kind comments

@ Tabor: Such a generous comment! thank you. I send my best wishes to you.

@ Alsan Thank you for your best wishes and yes I agree - the best picture of life is to sit and eat together.

Steven L. Ritter said...

Susie: Thank you for your comment on my blog. Yes... The medication is still helping more and more. I'm sitting in my chair here in California USA and my feet are cold! That's a different feeling from the last 6 months, and it has been a cold winter!

I'll keep in touch with your blog and will be praying for Hamada. He gives us all hope when things look less than good!

Susie Hemingway said...

Dear Barry, who left so many lovely comments on my poems ( see the one here) has recently passed away. I will so miss his wise and very thoughtful words that spurred us on. God bless you Barry a friend from afar. I bet you are that great big shining star I can see tonight above our village x

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you Steven, I pray that all is going along well with you - Keep strong.

Susie Hemingway said...

Bless you Michael x

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