Cancer as Spiritual Teacher by Donald T. Iannone

Poems from this glorious inspiring poetic collection named Cancer as Spiritual Teacher encourages cancer patients to live their life happily by giving poetry a try as “its powerful alchemy/can turn our lead into gold.” No doubt Donald’s perception can delight and remove the worries from a patient’s mind. After reading his poetry the patient might be able to spend their time with their loving ones as it provokes enormously the one to come out from the dull state of mind.  

The poem On Cancer and Poetry tells the reader about the mighty power of poetry with the following lines:

Poetry helps us step delicately

into the vast river of life,

wash off our assumptions, and

flow with the river’s healing currents.

Did you know poetry sometimes

can be more dangerous than cancer,

by bringing out things inside us

that we never knew were there?

The poem suggests the patients to make poetry a strong pillar in your life as it helps to fight us from within and outside both and thereby increases our morale when needed the most.

In Experiencing the Speed of Life, the poet has stated few words in the opening that are the most basic applications of human life to lead a happy and joyful life.

Pay attention to life’s details,

especially the infinitesimally small things

that bring you happiness and joy.

The poet emphasizes paying attention to how the moments of life pass in the blink of an eye and this is what is known as the speed of life.

In Gratitude for the Rain, the poet mentions “I am thankful for my life–/just the way it is.”, depicting that poet is satisfied with his life and thankful for it. He has stated the most exquisite and charming virtues of the rain in the poem as he says “I am grateful for the rain,

and how it nourishes and cleanses the earth.” So, kind of him!

I am thankful for my life–

just the way it is.

It’s easy to forget–

life is one great miracle,

and each of us has had the chance

to experience life’s wonder and magic.

Lucidity is the key feature of this book—classical beauty and truth. Donald’s verse has frequent flashes of beauty, fine notes of passion and unforgettable phrases. His poems are devoid of any artificial vocabulary and are quite easy to read and understand. This book is highly recommended to those who are fighting cancer or with any other chronic disease as it will surely help them to fight it more confidently.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               --- Rochak Agarwal

AUTHOR BIO

Don Iannone is a poet and photographer in Greater Cleveland. Cancer as Spiritual Teacher is his fifth poetry book. In June 2018, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. As a cancer survivor, this book has even greater meaning for him. Don is the author of four earlier books of poetry (Stilling the Waters, Walks in Life's Sacred Garden, Chasing Cosmic Butterflies, and Poetic Reflections on Economic Development), and four books combining his poetry and photography (Winter Spirit, Spring Promises, Magical Light, and Speaking Out on the Unspeakable: Poems and Photographs about Human Trafficking). He is also the editor of two books of poetry. The first is a collection of poems written by his father, Donald Lowell Iannone, which is entitled When God Speaks to Us, and the second is a collection of poems written by mental health patients called Windows into Ourselves: Poetry on the Experience of Mental Illness. Don holds a Master’s Degree in Consciousness Studies with a specialization in Mind-Body Medicine. He also holds a Professional Diploma in Economic Development and a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology. Finally, he completed graduate coursework in Organizational Behavior. He is clinically trained and certified as a Reiki Master Therapist, Meditation Guide, and Life Purpose Coach. He works with cancer patients at Cleveland Clinic as a complementary health therapist, where he is also involved in training other caregivers in healing practices, and conducts research on the use of these therapies in cancer care.