Healing

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“Art is healing,” she said.

She approached my table to show a picture of artwork a friend had created for her to help her through this time.

A choral singer, practicing singing was one activity she did during her recovery time. She looked forward to further healing, to being able to do activities she missed.

She had been able to watch birds visit her bird feeder, and was happy to recognize a cardinal that had built a nest the previous year. She hoped it would build again in her yard.

Listener Poet Katherine Gekker

Inova Schar Cancer Institute

February 2020

I’m feeling a little impatient,

even though it’s only been two weeks.

I’m eager to walk my dogs again,

ride my bicycle,

return to work.

Instead I’m napping

(not even reading).

I just watched the cardinal

who built her nest outside our window

last spring return.

She was eyeing last year’s handiwork.

I hope she rebuilds.

And I’ve been practicing my singing.

Attended my first rehearsal

in several weeks.

Our upcoming concert:

sacred choral works.

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