Hard to Swallow by Pat & Bill Hurley is a beautiful collection of poetry.
The couple were married just weeks before Bill was diagnosed with cancer. The poems are arranged as a conversation between the husband and wife, with his poems in italics while hers are not. As he did not want to read any poems with angst, some of her poems were never seen by her husband; instead, they appear here as complimentary thoughts on their marriage and the experiences they shared in their short time together. She expresses her worry about his health, her admiration for his courage, and her despair of living without him. Some of her admissions are startling as well as moving.
From “Jealous”
OK, I’ll admit it.
I’m jealous of the cancer.
Ever since she moved in,
She’s had you breathless
He writes of his changing body and how he centers himself through meditation and the contemplation of labyrinths. He also writes of his love for her.
From “March 24, 2016”
…Perhaps angels are the nearest things to our souls, and
as such, are our closest companions to that which is divine.
Although it’s heartbreaking they only had a short time together, this book is a beautiful testament to living life to the fullest and appreciating every moment.
Cat Russell 