Country Lane came about through a wonderful online workshop I attended with eco-poet and creative writer Jason Conway. For me, it represents the first acceptance of the journey I’ve been on with my cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Update: I was thrilled to learn this poem was a winner in the Space In-Between Festival Poetry Competition! The standard of work throughout was high but even better were the many supportive people involved. Thank you!

Country Lane

Driving along a country lane,
Twists and turns I can’t see past.
Tall green hedgerows either side,
Mountains not of my making.

The miles speed by unheeded.
Above, I hold onto a sliver of sky,
Around, only an incoherent blur.
I hit the brake but it doesn't respond.

All at once -- a fallen tree.
I swerve and find only the verge.
We’re a bottle spinning on a floor.
The car finds a gap in the hedgerow.

I'm finally come to rest.

In the near silence there is only
The ticking of the still-warm engine,
The pounding of my temples;
The beating of my heart.

With shaking legs, I flee the car.
Lie down in the warm grass;
Lift my face to the sun.
Now I can see the whole sky.

Close by, unseen, a cricket is fiddling,
The swaying grass is a quiet timpani.
In that moment, I hear a whisper, no louder:
“All will be well. All will be well.”