Wildflowers by Tom Austin
June 21st, 2009The Royal Teens co-founder Tom Austin wrote the poem “Wildflowers” to give inspiration to women with breast cancer and wanted to share the poem with Jersey Boys Blog readers. This month, “Wildflowers” was recited by cancer survivor Joni Relyea at the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation rally in Washington, D.C. with nearly 50,000 people in attendance.
WILDFLOWERS
By Thomas Austin
The sun is rising over the hill
The storm has passed, the air is so still
As I lie in silence and wait for the day
The sweet smell of wildflowers comes drifting my way.
I go to my window on this beautiful morn
To look at my garden so hurt by the storm
The flowers are rain soaked, with beaten down stems
But strangely enough they begin straightening again.
As I watch for a moment they begin to stand tall
Some leaning on others so they will not fall
Petal to petal, together they stand
It’s almost as if they stand hand in hand.
My garden of color once more came alive
And made it so clear that I too can survive.
Joni read that beautiful poem to me at the Komen Global Race for the Cure in Washington DC on Saturday June 6, 2009. It was a moving companion to Joni’s lovely “First Bloom” painting presented to me that morning. The symbolism in the poem is stirring and a wonderful tribute to breast cancer survivors.
Comment by Sara Fought — June 22, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
Beautiful!
Comment by maxine — June 25, 2009 @ 12:51 am
The large First Bloom painting at the Race for the Cure was an inspiration!
Comment by Jim — June 25, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
beautiful inspirational images. Just like Tom’s paintings. How can we get this poem out to ALL breast cancer patients throughout the country? It would be so strengthening for them.
Comment by NaomiJOY — January 20, 2014 @ 3:30 pm