ANNE MARIE KESTLE July 21, 1939 - August 8, 2003

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Anne died on August 8, 2003 after a long and courageous bout with breast cancer.  Her poems during this final period of her life reflect her indomitable spirit.

When Anne was faced with the loss of her breast through surgery, she wrote the following poem and shared it with the Group. GOODBYE, LORETTA We have come through a lot, But now we must be separated, So, that I can live. The two PM scalpel will cleave Out 63 years together. You let me know that I was really sick And in your own way Kept calling out for help – Getting bigger and bigger, Ornerier and ornerier, Burning me up and waking me up – Not giving me a moment’s rest. So Loretta, left breast, Farewell. Rhonda and I will carry on. PS Loretta, if you get lonely, Look up my tonsils, thyroid, Ovaries and uterus. April 12, 2002 7:50 a.m.

FACELESS Big C hasn’t revealed itself to me – it just hangs in space a menace without a face its stories and maps I cautiously read and trace, Still seeing it as a far off place. drawing closer my fears I suspended – my soul rests in hope and joy for life never ends. Anne Kestle Diagnosed with stage IIIb Inflammatory breast cancer on October 19, 2001 4th chemo treatment January 2, 2002

Many of Anne’s poems reflect her deep and abiding faith.  She was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church as an infant, and many of her poems are actually prayers, spoken in her own, unique voice. TRINITY God is a spring of water – Father/Mother is the welling up of the water, Son/Christ is the circle of waves carrying the energy out, Spirit is the sparkle and sound of the water, Going from the known to the unknowing – us. November 15, 1998

VAPORIZED Oh, to live in God’s breast pocket Or even in her locket – To hear the gentle thrumming of his heart. To be softly stroked and held And finally to meld – To vapor by God’s quenchless spark. November 10, 1999

Snippet’s from an Angel’s Life-Poems of a Retired Math Teacher may be purchased for $12.95 (plus postage and shipping) through the publisher, or by contacting John Shaver at Shaver’s Books, 2362 Whitesburg Dr. S, Huntsville, AL 35801 telephone number 256-536-1604.