97 Comments
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BJ Dawson's avatar

I would too. I imagine I'd have the rest of my life to feel bad about it, but I would too.

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Jan Myhre's avatar

Sandy! Thank you! I loved that book. It was women standing up for a woman who had no voice even when she was alive!

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Kathy Ortiz's avatar

Wow, Sherman. With shame and regret, so would I, knowing that here in the USA, the price of the drug would be out of the reach of most people. Capitalist creed of greed.

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Sandy's avatar

Kill or be killed. Eat lunch or be lunch. It's a top of the food chain world. As a voracious animal lover, I try to be vegetarian, but those vegetable harvesting machines kill many animals, small mammals, ground nesting birds. Sometimes I can't win for losing. Neither can they.

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Peggy Coquet (she/her)'s avatar

Does my life of privilege

- old white woman, born into

Generational penury,

Home owner, credit user -

Justify my house built on

Stolen land, oaks and old

Hickories watered by trails of tears?

Those old trees planted by hands

Belonging to a stolen People?

No.

Will I walk away from it?

No.

But oh, Shaman, sometimes

I do bleed.

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Kathleen Brant's avatar

If I was not retired from teaching, I would find this an interesting poem to generate discussion in class.

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Karen's avatar

I think deep down most people would say yes - no judgment who wouldn't want to be cured?

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Jan Myhre's avatar

What a wonderful adventure in thoughtful, critical thinking. Much to consider. I am reminded of a nonfiction book I read years ago (cannot remember the title). A woman's cancer cells were used to save the lives of many without her knowledge or permission. Long after she had passed her family sued and won a suit against the hospital. I could say a great deal more, but only suggest that readers find the book and read the entire story! Makes me wonder who ends up the beast and who ends up the shark.

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Sandy's avatar

I can't remember the book title, either, but the woman's name was Henrietta Lacks.

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Jan Myhre's avatar

Sandy! Thank you! It was a woman who stood up for Henrietta. She herself had no voice even when she was alive. We all need to do more of that!

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Kathy Ortiz's avatar

Yes.

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Tom Voorhees's avatar

I was feeling the pressure to decide the question until I read your reply to the first comment. Also the image of jaws being pulled down to the black depths by a huge unseen force is stirring that pot and seemed to poke at the unconscious fears of the emptiness of those depths, then you lead us the face them. Wonderful.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

I'd like to think we'd make a chemical substitute for the blood and get to live happily ever after.

I know. Stop looking at me like that!

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Daniel Hettenbach's avatar

I'm dying Sherman. It's okay. Watch The There Burials of Melquiades Estrada

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Sandra Geer's avatar

I most certainly would bc I’m old and would want to do something good for humankind.

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Jodi Sh. Doff's avatar

I would not. I have not had stage four, but I was hospitalized near death twice and refused treatments. My life not any more important than any other sentient being. That said, I couldn't make that same choice for someone I loved.

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Cindy Lipton's avatar

Then the Deep-sea Animal would resurrect and sit on the right hand of God and we'd drink it's blood on Sundays.

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Sandy's avatar

AMAZING thought, I love this. And oh, so bloody true...

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Randall Van Nostrand's avatar

You always stir the pot. I'd like to be a better human who does no harm and exits with grace and dignity, but I also know that my wish to be a better human would fail, and I'd go for the cure. I appreciate you painting the picture so clearly.

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Daniel Hettenbach's avatar

I need to make this clear Sir. After Edward Abbey and Cormac McCarthy died you're it. You're the greatest Western American Writer left. I'll do my best. But Sherman. You're Undeniable. Thank you.

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