I’m too sexy for my…

I’m too sexy for my…

The bell rings and I’m like a 

boxer ready to fight when the bell

Ding dings

Opening my hospital gown

I bare my cancer-wrecked breasts

And lay back

To prepare for the long needle

And the painful pressure 

Of tissue expanders

I’m too sexy for my…

Breasts don’t define me

I know this

But I want back

What was stolen

My surgeon asks

“Are you ready?”

I turn up the music

And reply,

“Let’s do this”

I’m too sexy for my…

Shirt

So sexy it hurts. 

NaPoWriMo Prompt: And now for today’s (optional) prompt. Like our villanelle prompt from a week ago, this prompt plays around with song lyrics, but in a very specific context – singing while riding in a car. Take a look at Ellen Bass’s poem, “You’re the Top.” Now, craft your own poem that recounts an experience of driving/riding and singing, incorporating a song lyric.

From the Author: This poem was inspired by my breast cancer journey. I was diagnosed the first time in 2010 and the last time was 2023. So guess what?! I received Happy News at my oncologist’s office today after another scan:

Two years after the last diagnosis, I’m thankfully breast cancer-free. Yes!