Christian Ward is a UK-based poet with recent poetry in Acumen, Dreich, Dream Catcher, Dodging the Rain and Canary. He was longlisted for the 2023 Aurora Prize for Writing, shortlisted for the 2023 Ironbridge Poetry Competition and 2023 Aesthetica Creative Writing Award, and won the 2023 Cathalbui Poetry Competition.

Lymphoma As Minotaur 

The disease built a maze
from the overactive 
lymph nodes. Sent red
blood cells, innocent
as Athenians, to die.
At the centre, a tumour 
on my spine: horns
white like rage, breath
hotter than the underworld.
A creature struggling 
to reconcile its ledger:
human or bull?
Chemo, bold like Theseus,
offered no parlay. 
The sting of the blade
still sparks against my skin.

Lymphoma As Zeus 

The disease shifts into eagle,
bull, swan. Acts like a reckless 
teenager with my body.
A wrecking ball drunk on beauty.
Don't bribe me with a gold shower 
or the exoticism of a satyr:
You'll pin me down in my sleep,
take all I have. You already 
own the mountains and the sky.
One man's life is just a trinket 
for your vault. 

Lymphoma As Poseidon  

The disease is ruler
of the diminutive sea
of my body. Rules
with a trident plunging
into my back every time
I dare disagree with its actions.
There is no democracy
here, no stone to be dropped
for a collective decision.
A tsunami of chemo drugs 
will come and wash away
his empire. Not even Theseus
can help him now.

Lymphoma As Artemis

The disease hunts me

relentlessly. Healthy cells

cannot hide in the cypress

forest of my body. Sharp

as arrows, the lymphoma 

always gets its kills.

The temple of the tumour

holds Artemis' spirit:

a flame bolting like a deer

whenever consultants

echo in the distance.

Look how it wanes

at the mention of radiotherapy,

chemotherapy cycles.

Almost goes out completely 

after a discussion on stem

cell transplants.