By Carol White
Boca Raton Branch
“We’ll be slicing into your head, Mrs. White
It shouldn’t hurt much, please look at the light
There’s a drain in your brain
That won’t cause too much pain
And we think it might help you from going insane!
Your hair will grow back
It usually does
But first you’ll have months of ugly gray fuzz
We’ll fix it so you’ll be better than new
Better than new but you’ll still be you!”
Better than new, now that’s not bad
Better than new, and I won’t go mad
Better than new is the best news I’ve heard
Since this circus began last June twenty-third
My poems will be published, I’ll get my due
Now that I’m sure to be better than new
Rejections will soon be a thing of the past
With these dazzling thoughts coming so fast
My brushstrokes will flourish and bring me much fame
Once they remove the bad parts of my brain!
My mind won’t be muddled with ratty old cells
I’ll finish my symphony with drums, horns, and bells
My book will be written, my thesis well-praised
Once I’m better than new and my power is raised
The phone disturbs my new theory of relativity
Brought about by this burst of creativity
It’s the doctor with news of my diagnosis
Treatment plan and important prognosis
“Hello, Mrs. White, it’s Dr. Devine
Your biopsy’s back and it seems it’s benign
The good news is that you’ll still be you
But alas, you won’t be better than new!”
Carol,
I enjoyed your poem, your rhythm and rhymes are great and you kept that brave repeating of better than new and then your upbeat ending, well, a delight. It is a great depiction of what so many go through with worry and attempts to be brave and then the great news, all is well. How swell!! Thanks for your entertaining and thought-provoking poem!!!
Carol, your poem is delightful and your dauntless spirit shines through!
The rhyme gives a hint of levity to the dark beginning. The speaker’s hopeful thoughts of surgery making her “better than new” are hilarious, as is her realization that the diagnosis was a mistake and she’ll have to muddle on through life as we all do! Thanks for the humor!
The poem also reminded me of Dr. Seuss. I like the contrast of using humor to write about a serious subject. Wonderful poem!
Wow! What a poem! You captured my interest and my heart. So pleased to read the good news. Must have been quite a journey. You are so talented, I cannot imagine – “better than new for you.”
Very touching and very sad. You walked me through a very difficult time with depth and insight.
Wonderful ending and a wonderful piece of poetry!!! 🥰
A delight to read! But alas, you won’t be better than new…yes you are now that your poem is published!
Absolutely hilarious and wonderful b in a Seuss-ian kind of way.