Podcast 17 - BE PREPARED
Hearing that my friend Curtis passed away in his sleep shocked Kassandra & I. We have know him for about 30 years. He did not died from Covid. Curtis was a little younger than us and this makes me aware of our own mortality. Most of these poems came from reflecting on this very recent experience.
PLEASE DO NOT COPY & POST THESE POEMS ON SOCIAL MEDIA - CURTIS WOULD NOT WANT THAT
SUNRISE
A brilliant golden day
In moments it is passed
a reminder that each dawn
each moment
is an experience to relish
to be grateful
because it does not wait
for you or me.
FLORIDA WINTER
Its a shock to wear a fleece
as iguanas fall from trees
i understand the waters cold
and alligators can be bold
so the hot tub could be risky
Alligators in there are frisky
The birds must be huddling
the bunny rabbits cuddling
Friends send pictures of Maine snow
as there wild blizzards blow
the glowing logs keep them warm
from yet another winter storm.
here in Florida there’s no snowing
but no sounds of crows crowing
the poor birds expected sun
right now there’s almost none
But just wait for tomorrow
the sun will remove all sorrow
no dreary grey winter light here
the blue sky will soon be clear.
January 31st 2022
Curtis, dear friend
you left this Earth
Too soon and
So suddenly for us.
But you knew
you called me
three weeks ago
after a long time
of mutual silence.
You had engaged with the dark side
so we agreed to disagree,
a microcosm of the divisive world
yet our heart connection
as strong as ever
kept us together.
Remembering our adventures,
kayaking Deer Island Maine.
Hiking hut to hut in the White mountains,
Learning Aikido and knife fighting
in Petaluma, California
Sharing our deepest feelings and thoughts
In many weekend workshops together.
Your wide smile and sparkling eyes
laughter and teddy bear hugs
So many years have past
leaving you in cool Carmel
coming down to sunny Florida
while you found Belize.
Sometimes we were so close:
you walking Cinque Terre
Us south in Amalfi
you hiking in the Azores
as I hiked in Israel
All the while we walked
separately yet together
on paths of the spirit
on the ways of wisdom.
I know you left
filled with your virtues:
good humor and love
Kindness and compassion.
Happy and content
full of God’s grace.
FOR SOME OF US
We reach a point
a time in our life’s journey
when the reality of death
becomes inevitable and real.
Our parents left years ago,
now it is our generation,
Old friends and siblings
with all their love
Years of intimate knowing
choosing to leave us,
and those who love them.
So we live on without them.
The surprise, shock and pain
Nothing prepares you
for the first one who leaves.
This does prepare me
for my own mortality.
What will my legacy be?
Will my kindness, love
Thoughts and words
linger on
as the my breathe leaves
never to return?
©MartinStrasmore2021