Lists and Another Poem

A few days ago, Melissa asked me what's on my bucket list.  Of course, feeling so goofy, I answered "a new bucket".  But seriously, it got me thinking about all the lists I've had in my life.

First, when I became of dating age, there was the "girlfriend list" with all the qualifications, necessary items, measurements, and eye color of my perfect woman, according to my hormones.  Fortunately, I lost it.  Thank goodness, cuz my 12 year old self would not have gone for Deanna. 

Second, there was the list of things I wanted to do before I died, commonly referred to as the "bucket list".  Of course, at age 16, that comprised mostly of losing my virginity, climbing Mount Everest naked, and getting a tatoo that glowed in the dark.  Fortunately for me, my geek instinct took over, and I just got hooked on computer games, marching band, and hanging out with the choir girls in adolesent awkwardness hoping to get my first kiss. 

I still ahve a few things I want to do before I "kick the bucket".  For example, marry Deanna, have kids, and just be a good person.  Wow, I sound old.  Maybe I'll have to kick start my mid-life crisis to come up with something exciting.

The current list I have is something I'm not going to blog about, other than to say that it's a list of "married poeple only" activities and is kind of a running gag between Deanna and I.  How truthful it is...well, that's for us to know.  ;-)

Get your mind out of the gutters, cuz here's the next poem.

This one I wrote at one of my favorite thinking spots downtown, and I really felt like writing about what it would be like to fly along the top of the river, and around the buildings downtown.  Of course, the poem does reflect a Christian view of temptation, as only my twisted mind could put into words.  Just trust me on this, lol.

“An Angel’s Choice” by DC Stark

My wings stretch, caressed by the blue sky’s wind

The water flows smoothly beneath my feet

Peace washes over my soul, my rest was brilliant

A broken angel am I, trapped to travel this world

Yet I do not live in it, my master reigns above

My arms spread with the slowness of total comfort

I lean out over the water, knowing I shall not fall

But which way do I go?  The water beckons me

It is cool and refreshing, but the sky is open and free

Which way shall I choose?

Slowly my feet sink into the water; its power is restrained

It caresses me gently, as would a lover

I can feel its depth, its ever-calling voice to move me

It is fresh and clean, but the sky also calls

It is much larger than this water, it has no depth

Nothing constrains it, nothing holds it back

It is an ever-present kingdom, calling me to be its master

To roam its endless halls for eternity

I am an angel, broken now by my master and my choices

Trapped within this constant decision

I must choose between the water of earth, and the heavens

Which shall I choose? The earth or the power above it?

It is a daily choice, so I spread my wings and fly.

Yet Another Poem

Alright, here's another one I'd like to share.  This one is just singing to my heart this morning, so I posted it.

No big story for this one.  Just some good, old fashioned poetry.  Enjoy!

“God’s Love for Me” by DC Stark

Cleaner than the rain the gray skies send

No further there than the closest bend

More faithful than the truest friend

Is my God’s love for me!

Purer than new fallen winter snow

Livelier than the fields of green that grow

Sweetest tasting water that I know

Is my God’s love for me!

Swiftest dance through the bright skies

Straightest path for the doves to fly

No more atonement left to buy

Because of my God’s love for me!

Bountiful harvests that await my soul

A Loving Being that makes me whole

One who loves us enough to pay our toll

That is my God’s love for me!

Constant protection from angels near

Paradise with God when we leave here

And nothing on earth we should fear

Thanks to my God’s love for me!

Another Poem

Today's poem is a real doozy.  I don't talk about it much (in fact, I didn't even share it with Deanna until a couple weeks ago and we've been together almost 3 years) but it is something special.  I wrote this poem just a few days after the Feb 1996 shooting at Frontier Junior High.  Yes, I did go there at the time, and I lost two friends in that incident.  Anyways, there are two versions here for this one.  The first is the raw, uncut, unedited version.  The second I updated and cleaned up a bit.  My friend ReaLee tried to do that shortly after I wrote it, and before it was sent out to my fellow classmates, but my mom wouldn't have it.  Well, too bad, cuz I did it anyways.  :-P

Alright folks, here ya go!  (Oh, and just FYI, I did all of these poems by my nickname DC.  Now you know.  And knowing is half the battle.)

“The Tragedy” by DC Stark

Sorrow fills us all as we think back to

The fatal shooting just down the hall

I shall try to describe what happened

Through my own sight

The thing that took three

Dear, close lives that night

A boy, angered and red

Obviously on his mind

Revenge and bloodshed

Barry was that boys name

Someone insignificant

That shan’t be honored in fame.

He was a very shy and quiet boy

But he became dark and started playing

With the wrong toy

The toy would bring much grief and harm

The toy, as he walked through the halls

He had, was cradled under his arm

He kicked down the door

And fired like there was no tomorrow

And today that’s what brings us

The grief and sorrow

When we heard the news

Our minds did shun

The information that

The shots left but one

And so we cry

As tears roll down our faces

And the pain hurts

The pain that each one of us embraces

But now we must pull together

And do what must be done

For we can survive alone

But we must pull through as one.

Our community was shattered

By this crazy act of violence

And sorely pulled together

By the sorrowful silence

The grief is not only of yourself

But the bad memories

Must be put on the shelf

Remember them during happier times

The teen years and just before

Remember their favorite songs

And tinkling chimes

Manuel Vela, what a guy

He taught many how to have fun

And freely fly

Mrs. Caires was not just a teacher

She was a hero to all

Trying to protect her students

Is when she did fall

And Arnie Fritz, though I didn’t know him

A good guy

And his memory

Shall never dim

Natalie Hintz, our prayers with her

That she’ll pull through

True and sure

People brought flowers

And balloons swayed in the breeze

Hope that their souls

Should be at ease.

And here is the updated and edited version:

Sorrow fills the souls of all

Who think back to

The tragedy in that hall

I am not alone 

But unique is my own sight

The beast that took three lives

And left us all with fright

A boy, angered and red

Nothing on his mind save

Revenge and bloodshed

We don’t speak his name

Someone insignificant

That won’t be remembered in fame.

He was a very shy and quiet boy

Inside he was dark 

And knew the weapon wasn’t a toy

How could such a simple thing bring harm?

Hidden under his coat

No one knew to raise alarm

He kicked in the door

And fired like there was no tomorrow

And today that’s what brings us

The grief and sorrow

When we heard the news

Our minds went numb

The information that

The shots left but one

And so we cry

As tears roll down our faces

And the pain hurts

Wounds that each one of us embraces

But now we all pull together

And do what must be done

For we can survive alone

But we must pull through as one.

Our community was shattered

By this horrid act of violence

And sorely pulled together

By our own sorrowful silence

The grief is not only in the “self”

But the bad memories

Must be put on the shelf

Remember them during your lives

The younger years and happier times

Keep in mind their favorite songs

And nursery rhymes

Manuel Vela a dear friend of mine

He taught many how to have fun

And to walk a straight line

Mrs. Caires was not just a teacher

She was a hero to all

Trying to protect her students

Is when she did fall

And Arnie Fritz,

Though I didn’t know him

His precious memory

Shall never dim

Natalie Hintz,

Our prayers are with her

That she’ll pull through

Strong and sure

I walk along the cold cement

As the people gather outside

To show their lament

Many brought flowers

And balloons swayed in the breeze

We all hope that their souls

Should be at ease.

Every scar we carry will bleed

But the memories shall never fade

This is a trial for us

And with God’s help continuance was made

The First Poem

So, this one isn't mine, but it is special to me.  When I was in MCRD San Diego (That's Marine Corps Recruit Depot) I was on watch one night in the weight room, and this poem was up on the wall.  For some reason, it just inspired me, and so the night before we moved to a barracks on the other side of the base, I copied it down.  I'm so glad I did too.



“The Quitter” by Robert Service

When you’re lost in the wild, and you’re scared as a child

And Death looks you bang in the eye

And you’re sore as a boil, it’s according to Hoyle

To cock your revolver and die

But the code of a man says: “Fight all you can”

And self-dissolution is barred

In hunger and woe, oh, it’s so easy to blow

It’s the hell-served-for-breakfast that’s hard

“You’re sick of the game!” Well now that’s ashame

You’re young and you’re brave and you’re bright

“You’ve had a raw deal!” I know, but don’t squeal

Buck up, do your damnedest and fight

It’s the plugging away that will win you the day

So don’t be a piker, old pard!

Just draw on your grit, it’s so easy to quit

It’s the keeping-your-chin-up that’s hard

It’s easy to cry that you’re beaten – and die;

It’s easy to crawfish and crawl;

But to fight and to fight when hopes out of sight –

Why that’s the best game of them all!

And through you come out of each gruelling bout,

All broken and beaten and scarred,

Just have one more try – it’s dead easy to die,

It’s the keeping-on-living that’s hard.

Announcement and Q&A

Alright dear readers, you're in for a special treat here on my blog.  This morning, while getting ready for work, I discovered a computer disk that has all my old poetry and writings on it.  That is to say, my ENTIRE collection of poetry.  So for the next week or so, I will be posting a poem and the story behind it every day.

But not today.  I have the disk, but didn't get a chance to actually go through it yet.  So you'll have to wait until tomorrow.  In the meantime, it's Q&A time!  So ask away!