Mark Liebenow
@markliebenowwriter.bsky.social
Mark Liebenow writes about nature, cancer, grief and the wisdom of fools. The author of four books, he has had essays, poems, and critical reviews published in numerous literary journals. His work has been named a notable by Best American Essays. #cancer
The Woods at Dusk
It’s dusk in late December and the woods are quiet. I stand on my backyard deck lost in the mystery of nature. When I pause and look into the darkness with more curiosity than fear, I remember that life is not a race but a dialogue.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-woods-...
It’s dusk in late December and the woods are quiet. I stand on my backyard deck lost in the mystery of nature. When I pause and look into the darkness with more curiosity than fear, I remember that life is not a race but a dialogue.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-woods-...
The Woods at Dusk
New Year
markliebenow.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:13 PM
The Woods at Dusk
It’s dusk in late December and the woods are quiet. I stand on my backyard deck lost in the mystery of nature. When I pause and look into the darkness with more curiosity than fear, I remember that life is not a race but a dialogue.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-woods-...
It’s dusk in late December and the woods are quiet. I stand on my backyard deck lost in the mystery of nature. When I pause and look into the darkness with more curiosity than fear, I remember that life is not a race but a dialogue.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-woods-...
Do As Well As You Can
Barry Lopez died of prostate cancer on December 25, 2020. He didn’t share many details about it. I think he regarded his cancer as a private matter and felt there were more important topics to write about. I wish he had said more. markliebenow.substack.com/p/do-as-well...
Barry Lopez died of prostate cancer on December 25, 2020. He didn’t share many details about it. I think he regarded his cancer as a private matter and felt there were more important topics to write about. I wish he had said more. markliebenow.substack.com/p/do-as-well...
Do As Well As You Can
Barry Lopez, prostate cancer
markliebenow.substack.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Do As Well As You Can
Barry Lopez died of prostate cancer on December 25, 2020. He didn’t share many details about it. I think he regarded his cancer as a private matter and felt there were more important topics to write about. I wish he had said more. markliebenow.substack.com/p/do-as-well...
Barry Lopez died of prostate cancer on December 25, 2020. He didn’t share many details about it. I think he regarded his cancer as a private matter and felt there were more important topics to write about. I wish he had said more. markliebenow.substack.com/p/do-as-well...
Feeling Joy When Feeling Blue
The Worth of Mirth
It can be really hard to feel joy during the winter holidays when you have cancer or any serious medical problem. If we try, we can feel smatterings of happiness and moments of mirth.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/feeling-jo...
The Worth of Mirth
It can be really hard to feel joy during the winter holidays when you have cancer or any serious medical problem. If we try, we can feel smatterings of happiness and moments of mirth.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/feeling-jo...
Feeling Joy When Feeling Blue
The Worth of Mirth
markliebenow.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Feeling Joy When Feeling Blue
The Worth of Mirth
It can be really hard to feel joy during the winter holidays when you have cancer or any serious medical problem. If we try, we can feel smatterings of happiness and moments of mirth.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/feeling-jo...
The Worth of Mirth
It can be really hard to feel joy during the winter holidays when you have cancer or any serious medical problem. If we try, we can feel smatterings of happiness and moments of mirth.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/feeling-jo...
THE REOCCURRENCE OF FEAR
It’s been a rough week. A number of things happened that reawakened fears I’d set behind me, ones that commonly wake cancer patients up in the middle of the night. The nagging What Ifs that doctors don’t, or won’t, explain.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-reoccu...
It’s been a rough week. A number of things happened that reawakened fears I’d set behind me, ones that commonly wake cancer patients up in the middle of the night. The nagging What Ifs that doctors don’t, or won’t, explain.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-reoccu...
The Reoccurrence of Fear
It’s been a rough week.
markliebenow.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
THE REOCCURRENCE OF FEAR
It’s been a rough week. A number of things happened that reawakened fears I’d set behind me, ones that commonly wake cancer patients up in the middle of the night. The nagging What Ifs that doctors don’t, or won’t, explain.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-reoccu...
It’s been a rough week. A number of things happened that reawakened fears I’d set behind me, ones that commonly wake cancer patients up in the middle of the night. The nagging What Ifs that doctors don’t, or won’t, explain.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-reoccu...
THE FIRST DAY
Suleika Jaouad describes how draining it was to deal with cancer every day for four years as she went through multiple rounds of chemo, radiation therapy, and a bone marrow transplant. She chose to live every day as if it were her first.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-first-...
Suleika Jaouad describes how draining it was to deal with cancer every day for four years as she went through multiple rounds of chemo, radiation therapy, and a bone marrow transplant. She chose to live every day as if it were her first.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-first-...
The First Day
Suleika Jaouad
markliebenow.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
THE FIRST DAY
Suleika Jaouad describes how draining it was to deal with cancer every day for four years as she went through multiple rounds of chemo, radiation therapy, and a bone marrow transplant. She chose to live every day as if it were her first.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-first-...
Suleika Jaouad describes how draining it was to deal with cancer every day for four years as she went through multiple rounds of chemo, radiation therapy, and a bone marrow transplant. She chose to live every day as if it were her first.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/the-first-...
We Don’t Beat Cancer, We Endure
How we talk about cancer is important because language helps us understand the reality of what is going on, or it hides the truth. Is it battle or a relationship?
markliebenow.substack.com/p/we-dont-be...
How we talk about cancer is important because language helps us understand the reality of what is going on, or it hides the truth. Is it battle or a relationship?
markliebenow.substack.com/p/we-dont-be...
We Don't Beat Cancer, We Endure
Getting the language right.
markliebenow.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:42 PM
We Don’t Beat Cancer, We Endure
How we talk about cancer is important because language helps us understand the reality of what is going on, or it hides the truth. Is it battle or a relationship?
markliebenow.substack.com/p/we-dont-be...
How we talk about cancer is important because language helps us understand the reality of what is going on, or it hides the truth. Is it battle or a relationship?
markliebenow.substack.com/p/we-dont-be...
COOKING FOR CANCER
Although we may not be able to stop the cancer of someone we love, we can make the journey a little less painful. We can listen to the stillness between our fears and hopes, and do what we can to take care of those who need assistance.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/cooking-fo...
Although we may not be able to stop the cancer of someone we love, we can make the journey a little less painful. We can listen to the stillness between our fears and hopes, and do what we can to take care of those who need assistance.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/cooking-fo...
Cooking For Cancer
Karen Babine, All the Wild Hungers
markliebenow.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
COOKING FOR CANCER
Although we may not be able to stop the cancer of someone we love, we can make the journey a little less painful. We can listen to the stillness between our fears and hopes, and do what we can to take care of those who need assistance.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/cooking-fo...
Although we may not be able to stop the cancer of someone we love, we can make the journey a little less painful. We can listen to the stillness between our fears and hopes, and do what we can to take care of those who need assistance.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/cooking-fo...
Fear of Possibilities
Words are no help right after someone receives the news that they have cancer. What she needed was someone to sit beside her for a time as the cold shadows of her fears drew near. #Hodgkin’slymphoma #Cancer #Fear #Chemotherapy
markliebenow.substack.com/p/fear-of-po...
Words are no help right after someone receives the news that they have cancer. What she needed was someone to sit beside her for a time as the cold shadows of her fears drew near. #Hodgkin’slymphoma #Cancer #Fear #Chemotherapy
markliebenow.substack.com/p/fear-of-po...
Fear of Possibilities
Trying to remain calm when facing the unknown.
markliebenow.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Fear of Possibilities
Words are no help right after someone receives the news that they have cancer. What she needed was someone to sit beside her for a time as the cold shadows of her fears drew near. #Hodgkin’slymphoma #Cancer #Fear #Chemotherapy
markliebenow.substack.com/p/fear-of-po...
Words are no help right after someone receives the news that they have cancer. What she needed was someone to sit beside her for a time as the cold shadows of her fears drew near. #Hodgkin’slymphoma #Cancer #Fear #Chemotherapy
markliebenow.substack.com/p/fear-of-po...
It Sits Between
At age 48, Mark Shanahan found his PSA was rising. With a family history of prostate cancer, he opted for surgery, then added in radiation and hormone therapy to be sure his cancer was gone. #prostatecancer #TheBostonGlobe
markliebenow.substack.com/p/it-sits-be... @bostonglobe.com
At age 48, Mark Shanahan found his PSA was rising. With a family history of prostate cancer, he opted for surgery, then added in radiation and hormone therapy to be sure his cancer was gone. #prostatecancer #TheBostonGlobe
markliebenow.substack.com/p/it-sits-be... @bostonglobe.com
It Sits Between a Man's Bladder and His Old Feather
Mark Shanahan, Mr. 80 Percent video series, 2025
markliebenow.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:42 PM
It Sits Between
At age 48, Mark Shanahan found his PSA was rising. With a family history of prostate cancer, he opted for surgery, then added in radiation and hormone therapy to be sure his cancer was gone. #prostatecancer #TheBostonGlobe
markliebenow.substack.com/p/it-sits-be... @bostonglobe.com
At age 48, Mark Shanahan found his PSA was rising. With a family history of prostate cancer, he opted for surgery, then added in radiation and hormone therapy to be sure his cancer was gone. #prostatecancer #TheBostonGlobe
markliebenow.substack.com/p/it-sits-be... @bostonglobe.com
Hope definitely doesn’t have FEATHERS, all fluttery and light, although it might if a circus clown like Emmett Kelly is trying to sweep up a spotlight with a feather.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/hope-is
markliebenow.substack.com/p/hope-is
Hope Is
Hope is the thing with … barbed wire.
markliebenow.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Hope definitely doesn’t have FEATHERS, all fluttery and light, although it might if a circus clown like Emmett Kelly is trying to sweep up a spotlight with a feather.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/hope-is
markliebenow.substack.com/p/hope-is
Reading the poetry of Andrea Gibson is like coming out of a thick, brambled forest and seeing the beauty of the mountains rising all around you.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/a-lifespan...
markliebenow.substack.com/p/a-lifespan...
A Lifespan of Width
Andrea Gibson, You Better Be Lightning, 2021
markliebenow.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Reading the poetry of Andrea Gibson is like coming out of a thick, brambled forest and seeing the beauty of the mountains rising all around you.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/a-lifespan...
markliebenow.substack.com/p/a-lifespan...
The first thing that everyone thinks when the doctor says they have cancer is that they are going to die. My free post on Substack.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/maybe-dyin...
markliebenow.substack.com/p/maybe-dyin...
Maybe Dying, Maybe Not
Cancer Writers
markliebenow.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The first thing that everyone thinks when the doctor says they have cancer is that they are going to die. My free post on Substack.
markliebenow.substack.com/p/maybe-dyin...
markliebenow.substack.com/p/maybe-dyin...
Troglodytes of Whimsy and Mercy open.substack.com/pub/marklieb... This week's post is on Brian Doyle, a creative and compassionate writer who died a few years ago from brain cancer. This is my new Substack account, so please consider subscribing for FREE!
Troglodytes of Whimsy and Mercy
Brian Doyle
open.substack.com
October 5, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Troglodytes of Whimsy and Mercy open.substack.com/pub/marklieb... This week's post is on Brian Doyle, a creative and compassionate writer who died a few years ago from brain cancer. This is my new Substack account, so please consider subscribing for FREE!
Talking to the Trees
When a friend received bad news about her cancer, I thought, “I’ll talk to the trees.” Bear with me. I used to light candles and pray for those who needed support. But talking to the trees seemed to be the right thing to do here.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/09/talk...
When a friend received bad news about her cancer, I thought, “I’ll talk to the trees.” Bear with me. I used to light candles and pray for those who needed support. But talking to the trees seemed to be the right thing to do here.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/09/talk...
Talking to the Trees
When a friend received bad news about her cancer, I thought, “I’ll talk to the trees.” Bear with me for a moment. I used to light candles,...
markliebenow.blogspot.com
September 21, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Talking to the Trees
When a friend received bad news about her cancer, I thought, “I’ll talk to the trees.” Bear with me. I used to light candles and pray for those who needed support. But talking to the trees seemed to be the right thing to do here.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/09/talk...
When a friend received bad news about her cancer, I thought, “I’ll talk to the trees.” Bear with me. I used to light candles and pray for those who needed support. But talking to the trees seemed to be the right thing to do here.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/09/talk...
John Donne and Cancer
In 1993, Margaret Edson wrote a play called Wit that talks about the experience of having cancer and going through chemotherapy. She finds refuge in the Holy Sonnets of John Donne.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/08/john...
In 1993, Margaret Edson wrote a play called Wit that talks about the experience of having cancer and going through chemotherapy. She finds refuge in the Holy Sonnets of John Donne.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/08/john...
John Donne and Cancer
In 1993, Margaret Edson wrote a play called Wit that talks about the experience of having cancer and going through chemotherapy. In the ea...
markliebenow.blogspot.com
August 11, 2025 at 12:24 PM
John Donne and Cancer
In 1993, Margaret Edson wrote a play called Wit that talks about the experience of having cancer and going through chemotherapy. She finds refuge in the Holy Sonnets of John Donne.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/08/john...
In 1993, Margaret Edson wrote a play called Wit that talks about the experience of having cancer and going through chemotherapy. She finds refuge in the Holy Sonnets of John Donne.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/08/john...
The Thin Spaces Between
Renée Sgroi weaves grief into nature in her elegant and evocative book of poetry In a Tension of Leaves and Binding (Guernica Editions, Toronto, 2024). Sgroi finds parallel stories of wanting, loneliness, loss.
This is my review.
widowersgrief.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-...
Renée Sgroi weaves grief into nature in her elegant and evocative book of poetry In a Tension of Leaves and Binding (Guernica Editions, Toronto, 2024). Sgroi finds parallel stories of wanting, loneliness, loss.
This is my review.
widowersgrief.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-...
The Spaces Between Knowing and Understanding
review of Renée M. Sgroi, In a Tension of Leaves and Binding , Guernica Editions, Toronto, 2024 Connecting grief with nature resonates wit...
widowersgrief.blogspot.com
July 29, 2025 at 12:29 PM
The Thin Spaces Between
Renée Sgroi weaves grief into nature in her elegant and evocative book of poetry In a Tension of Leaves and Binding (Guernica Editions, Toronto, 2024). Sgroi finds parallel stories of wanting, loneliness, loss.
This is my review.
widowersgrief.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-...
Renée Sgroi weaves grief into nature in her elegant and evocative book of poetry In a Tension of Leaves and Binding (Guernica Editions, Toronto, 2024). Sgroi finds parallel stories of wanting, loneliness, loss.
This is my review.
widowersgrief.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-...
My essay “After Cancer Treatment, a Restorative Touch,” on the healing power of therapeutic massage for cancer patients, is published in the new issue of the American Journal of Nursing. This therapy is invaluable.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-...
#therapeuticmassage @ajnonline.bsky.social
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-...
#therapeuticmassage @ajnonline.bsky.social
The Healing of Therapeutic Massage
I’m delighted that my short essay “After Cancer Treatment, a Restorative Touch,” on the healing power of therapeutic massage for cancer pa...
markliebenow.blogspot.com
June 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM
My essay “After Cancer Treatment, a Restorative Touch,” on the healing power of therapeutic massage for cancer patients, is published in the new issue of the American Journal of Nursing. This therapy is invaluable.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-...
#therapeuticmassage @ajnonline.bsky.social
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-...
#therapeuticmassage @ajnonline.bsky.social
BIRDS AND GRIEVING
If you went into nature to get away from all the sorrow at home, you found that you felt accepted there with all of your brokenness. In her chapbook Birdology, Carolyne Van Der Meer explores how birds helped her make this connection.
widowersgrief.blogspot.com/2025/06/bird...
If you went into nature to get away from all the sorrow at home, you found that you felt accepted there with all of your brokenness. In her chapbook Birdology, Carolyne Van Der Meer explores how birds helped her make this connection.
widowersgrief.blogspot.com/2025/06/bird...
Birds and Grief
Review - Birdology , by Carolyne Van Der Meer Carolyne Van Der Meer guides us into paying attention to what is going on in the outdoors, e...
widowersgrief.blogspot.com
June 10, 2025 at 7:57 PM
BIRDS AND GRIEVING
If you went into nature to get away from all the sorrow at home, you found that you felt accepted there with all of your brokenness. In her chapbook Birdology, Carolyne Van Der Meer explores how birds helped her make this connection.
widowersgrief.blogspot.com/2025/06/bird...
If you went into nature to get away from all the sorrow at home, you found that you felt accepted there with all of your brokenness. In her chapbook Birdology, Carolyne Van Der Meer explores how birds helped her make this connection.
widowersgrief.blogspot.com/2025/06/bird...
Having any kind of cancer is unsettling, and having prostate cancer is something that men need to talk about because they need the support of other men who have it. #prostatecancer
www.facebook.com/share/p/19Mv...
www.facebook.com/share/p/19Mv...
May 24, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Having any kind of cancer is unsettling, and having prostate cancer is something that men need to talk about because they need the support of other men who have it. #prostatecancer
www.facebook.com/share/p/19Mv...
www.facebook.com/share/p/19Mv...
Breast Cancer and the Health Care System
Anne Boyer’s book about surviving aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, The Undying, takes the reader inside what it feels like to endure chemotherapy, and the inequalities of a for-profit health care system.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/04/brea...
Anne Boyer’s book about surviving aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, The Undying, takes the reader inside what it feels like to endure chemotherapy, and the inequalities of a for-profit health care system.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/04/brea...
Breast Cancer and the Health Care System
Anne Boyer’s book about surviving aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, The Undying, takes the reader inside what it feels like to end...
markliebenow.blogspot.com
April 29, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Breast Cancer and the Health Care System
Anne Boyer’s book about surviving aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, The Undying, takes the reader inside what it feels like to endure chemotherapy, and the inequalities of a for-profit health care system.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/04/brea...
Anne Boyer’s book about surviving aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, The Undying, takes the reader inside what it feels like to endure chemotherapy, and the inequalities of a for-profit health care system.
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/04/brea...
What will be left of our morality if we do not act morally now?
April 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
What will be left of our morality if we do not act morally now?
Even when she was struggling with ovarian cancer, Gilda Radner looked for the humor in it. She said "My life had made me funny and cancer wasn't going to change that."
#cancer #humor #Gilda'sClub
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/04/gild...
#cancer #humor #Gilda'sClub
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/04/gild...
Gilda and Cancer
Holy Fools Day Today, April 1, I honor one of the saints of laughter – Gilda Radner, who looked for humor in the midst of her cancer, and ...
markliebenow.blogspot.com
April 1, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Even when she was struggling with ovarian cancer, Gilda Radner looked for the humor in it. She said "My life had made me funny and cancer wasn't going to change that."
#cancer #humor #Gilda'sClub
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/04/gild...
#cancer #humor #Gilda'sClub
markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/04/gild...
Some good news. The interview on writing that I did with the Chautauqua Literary Journal went up on their website today, along with three of the essays that I’ve published with them over the years. It’s a new series called Look Back.
chautauquajournal.wixsite.com/website/post...
chautauquajournal.wixsite.com/website/post...
Looking Back with Mark Liebenow: Finding The Words Waiting For Us
Chautauqua contributor Mark Liebenow reflects on his writing process and the power of words, offering some great advice for young writers.
chautauquajournal.wixsite.com
March 22, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Some good news. The interview on writing that I did with the Chautauqua Literary Journal went up on their website today, along with three of the essays that I’ve published with them over the years. It’s a new series called Look Back.
chautauquajournal.wixsite.com/website/post...
chautauquajournal.wixsite.com/website/post...
Prostate Men
Every cancer is traumatic, but getting prostate or breast cancer also messes with our self-esteem.
markliebenow.blogspot.com
Every cancer is traumatic, but getting prostate or breast cancer also messes with our self-esteem.
markliebenow.blogspot.com
February 27, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Prostate Men
Every cancer is traumatic, but getting prostate or breast cancer also messes with our self-esteem.
markliebenow.blogspot.com
Every cancer is traumatic, but getting prostate or breast cancer also messes with our self-esteem.
markliebenow.blogspot.com
Sometimes a book of poetry about cancer comes along that speaks to the heart of how it feels to have cancer. Katie Farris describes her journey with cancer honestly, with courage and insight. markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-... #poetry #cancer #KatieFarris
The Cancer Poetry of Katie Farris
Katie Farris, Standing in the Forest of Being Alive , Alice James Books, 2023 Katie Farris showed up on my doorstep the other day, with poe...
markliebenow.blogspot.com
February 1, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Sometimes a book of poetry about cancer comes along that speaks to the heart of how it feels to have cancer. Katie Farris describes her journey with cancer honestly, with courage and insight. markliebenow.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-... #poetry #cancer #KatieFarris