death selects

they came in the night
to remind me
family long gone
uncle jim a missionary
died in canton china
uncle walter was killed
early morning riding his bicycle
to the mill where he worked
in elmira ohio
cousin bill we called big bill
died on lake superior
on the edmond fitzgerald
at whitefish point
nephew tom died in denver
murdered by a dasterly deed
mom and pop, grandma and grandpa
died on the italian cruise ship
in their life jackets
in their cabin
in the dark
alone
he held her comforting her
until the water came
her hand in his
he felt her last breath
as her life left
then he followed her
what about the children who died
joy terror
foolish mistakes catching the innocent
the living left behind to never understand
they are all of us from everywhere
death selects calls us to come
life goes on
we forget just why

help

what will we do to celebrate
something special
we have never done before
how about a cruise
the kids helped
they wanted to go all out
after all we were getting old
excited anticipation
finally first day out
was the last day out
as the water claimed the
excited anticipation
finding the watery grave
before they were ready
heavy hearts feeling sorrows pain
can't be true
can't be
why? why? why?
it should have been a good time
foolish mistake
innocent waves covered
and silenced the laughter
men women and children
stolen by a watery grave
panic just survive
someone will come
to help us
life jacket
lifeboat
don't be afraid

Cold

so cold
first fingertips
then nose and toes
arms aching
legs shivering
cold clear through
feeling winter
wishing summer
shorts t-shirts
porch chairs
raccoon shade
wishes can't
make you warm
unless they ride
the suns rays
to winters
cold days