Sylvia's "In the Garden of Illness: I Sit by the Well of Hope" chapbook (1st edition) is available for purchase at Shadow Poetry.com. It's a stunning collection of poetry, only in a shortened form from the book at LuLu.com. http://www.shadowpoetry.com/bookstore/inthegardenofillness.html

Posted on behalf of Bernie Siegel...."We would all heal faster if we had the courage to write poetry to uncover our feelings and the wisdom which dwells within us. Sylvia expresses these feelings eloquently, with her words and poems she will inspire you on the path of healing. To "In the Garden of Illness: I sit by the Well of Hope," all I can say is: YES!" - Bernie Siegel, MD

Sylvia Thompson understands healing. She teaches meditation, Reiki, Chakra, and Color Therapy. When diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005, Ms. Thompson called upon every well of knowledge, strength, creativity, and hope at her disposal. The result of her introspection is this beautiful chapbook, which she now shares with the world. Through her poetry, she creates beauty out of illness and sorrow, transforms a weed-infested garden into thriving flowers.

In the title poem, "The Garden of Illness," she sympathizes with an oncologist unwilling to inspire hope in himself or anyone else. I quote several verses in
excerpt:
My oncologist's mind
has a hard time flowing
around the sharp-edged boulders
of statistical probability
down into the tranquil brook
of against all odds.

I want to ease his pain
almost more than my own,
leading him out from behind
the fence of emotional protection
and tell him to remember.

Witnessing in seasons not long past,
weeds withering, some vanish
on their own, and gardens flourish
into ripe, full harvests
when even the most optimistic
gardener had forecast
drought.

This excerpt from "Soul Script" reflects the shock this poet felt when hearing her diagnosis for the first time. The poem, in its entirety, is powerful and understated:
Lashes try to blink
confusion into focus
while my mind pulls
frantically on the shades
trying to keep truth's
harsh glare out.

The diagnosis of a devastating disease forces Ms. Thompson to focus on her own mortality and lost loved ones. "Death of My Mother" is brief. I quote the poem here in its entirety:
The leaf
composting on the ground
forever holds
its luscious color.
In the imprint of
eternity,
the air I breathe
contains
my mother.

What a transforming thought! "In the imprint of eternity, the air I breathe contains my mother." This lovely book of hope and healing should be mandatory reading for
everyone diagnosed with a catastrophic disease, their families, friends, and health care providers. It's important that we all understand the healing power of
hope. Sylvia Thompson shares hope in glorious ways.