Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: pancreatic cancer

  • Romantique

    Jonathan B. Ferrini La Jolla, California, United States   “Forest Stream.” Photo by John D. on Flickr. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. “I live in a world of spring showers of acrylic and watercolor droplets painting the score on the pavement of a Chopin nocturne.” These were the last words my brother Marshal spoke to me ten…

  • The dying room

    Gregory O’Gara New Jersey, United States   Gregory O’Gara Turbulent Souls, 2017 Oil on canvas Private collection The first Sunday in December was a typical winter day; cold but clear, leafless trees, overcast sky. It was the kind of morning I dreaded as a child, having to get out of bed and go to the…

  • Hunger – Thin

    Mark King       Hunger Thin I want Hollow Vacuum Sucking in parchment over yellowed ribs Lungs clutching at thin air Like a crone’s wizened claw I want Not like infatuation Nor envy, nor greed More like desperation But without the passion I want urgently But with resignation I turn my eyes up to plead…