Natasha, this piece was the stand out write in the contest, as soon as I read the first part, I was blown away and I knew that I'd be reading something powerful. The emotion was evident, I loved the breaks and usage of words, it gave it a strong aura, and the tone was deep and sad.
I see why you've posted it in the dark category, although I do feel that it would suit sadness more, but that's just my own preference.

You deserved the win, so well done.

I loved this piece
x

This poem really stood out to me!
so powerful and deep.

I am in the fragile reflection looking back at you,
as you run your slightly pressed fingers
down your cheek.
^^
This first and foremost is so descriptive and clearly displayed like you have used your words like paint, your mind a paint brush caressing across the easel of your imagination allowing us the reader to see this cheek with the fingers, like we are the reflection looking back at her. I found this so effective and impactful

[ Disbelief ]
[ Confirmation ]
[ Twenty-first centuries greatest fear ]
[ Terminal ]
[ Cancer ]
^^
I like how you have scattered these throughout your poem. It reminds me of chapters in a book giving you clues on what the next chapter will be about. It also reminds me of steps and in this case the order of events that this terminal cancer has progressed through, highlighting the emotions and the stages. I find this technique brilliant as it breaks up the poem so well!

I am in the tears that burn your eyes,
as you break. Knocking you off
your own feet.
^^
I love the relationship you have composed between you acting as the cancer and the cancer patient its so deep and dark, sending shivers down my spine.

I am the enemy with no army,
yet you still persist in fighting me.
^^
I find this so powerful! I like how you speak the thoughts of the cancer itself... We often hear that a person with cancer is the fighter, it is new and interesting to hear it from a different perspective that it is only one enemy without an army. So creative and thought out!

I mock your feeble attempts to erase me,
as your weapons only make you weaker
and i... Well, I grow, infect and devour.
^^
This is so true! You have constructed the cancer into such a vivid persona that is so destructive, careless and evil through the words infect and devour.

Let me introduce myself,
as I have many forms
but really, just one name...
^^
This reminds me of Satan lol
I like how you linked this thought while reading it. It adds to what i said above that this cancer is evil, dark and dangerous!

and you are my host,
with an audience of many.
^^
I love the word host!
It really adds well to your intended meaning and this was what gripped me into reading this and I loved the flow and meaning behind every line!

I agree with Tara Kay you greatly deserved the win as you have so much talent in writing!
It was a pleasure reading it and btw I like skulls too!

Congratulations on the win!

Love the asides throughout that push the poem along,
there is real sadness and just a hint of anger.
powerful write
nominated.

I really loved this, I voted for this one to win purely because of the layout and the style you narrated it in. I love the small verses folled by the bracketed words, this stood out so much to me and I thought it was quite creative.

As for the poem, you chose a topic which touches everyone in some way and I know your pain is within these words also.

congrats on winning the WC, it was well deserved. xx

I was diagnosed with brain cancer back in 2011, and they said I had two years to live. I accepted my path, and was willing to die. Then my wife got pregnant, and I was going to be a father. So I did chemo, so I could see my daughters smile. 2 years have passed, and I'm still alive. Good job on the poem. 5/5

We hear the word cancer so many times now a days, its really scary!!
The way you introduced it was amazing and perfect. A really sad peace speaks this side of reality really well.
Awesome job:)

I really enjoyed this poem

Natasha, I apologize for just now getting to comment on this powerful piece.. but it hit so darn close to home for me, that I couldn't bring myself to comment... about all I can say at this point is.. Lady, you penned one heck of a piece here! Truly heart wrenching, and I also read it to James, and he cried.. so yeah, we both adore this piece, thank you for sharing~

(Weekly Contest Comment - 3/25/13)

The form and layout of this piece is very eye catching. The topic is a devastating one, being a cancer survivor and having family and friends who have passed or are fighting from this disease this write really hits home for me as I am sure it does for many others as well. I really like how the cancer is talking to the patient and how even though cancer is the enemy we still fight and fight hard and it's a wonderful feeling when we win, but it's such a tragedy and heartbreaking when one doesn't... it's a scary disease and it's expressed so well within these words. Well done. (7)