Poems Round 2

I’m going to give a little contrast tonight.  This first poem is pretty powerful.  I wrote it after a friend of mine who is an EMT had to deal with his first death of a child and his second death of a child on the same die.  The first child was a 4-year-old girl who died of a previously known condition.  They worked hard to revive her, but they ended up pulling the plug later that day at the hospital.  Right after they got that call from the hospital they were called out for an 11-year-old boy who had hung himself using a belt the top bunk of his bunk bed.  I’m not sure if they ever came to a conclusion as to why he did it, but I know there was some talk of bullying at school.  I can’t imagine what my friend felt that day.

No Child Deserves to Die

Now I have never been a firefighter or EMT,

And I have no desire to ever be one,

But I can imagine that that the worse thing they ever have to face is the death of a child

They face death everyday

But there is a big difference between a 90-year old cancer patient and a 5th grader

I can't even begin to imagine the thoughts that would race through your head

As you end chest compressions and stare into those blank eyes

How could you even come back from that?

How could you go to sleep that night and wake up the next morning and go right back to work?

I don't think I could do it,

And I applaud those who can.

Whether it is by accident, disease, or by his own hand,

There is never a reason why a child should die,

Far too soon before his time

And no matter hard you try, you will never be able to find justification

So you can curse at God, but it will never help

There's only one thing you can do,

And that is keep fighting: keep saving every life that you can.

This second poem was an off-shoot of that one.  It’s a horrible thing when anyone commits suicide; it’s even worse when it is a child.

Sometimes You Don't Have to be a Doctor to Save a Life

You don't have to spend 10 years in school to save a life

It does not always require a transplant or blood transfusion

There is no need for emergency surgery or heroic measures

Because saving a life does not always require anesthesia

Sometimes what it takes is someone there to listen

Someone there to reach out a helping hand

Someone there to stitch the cuts you've put in your arm

And to cut down that make-shift bedsheet noose

I have saved a life, and I know others who have done the same

And I know that each one of those survivors will do their best to save a life

And those survivors will do just that too

It is a vicious cycle that I hope to never see end

There is never a reason to bring yourself to God's hand

Life may not always be great, but that is why we keep living:

So that we can keep trying to make life great

There is always room for improvement and that is what pushes us to do better things

No one ever wants to be content, because everyone wants to be happy

There is a difference, a lesson hard-learned

So keep fighting, keep fighting to break the mold

Keep fighting against every little dissatisfaction

And don't ever let anyone tell you no,

Don't ever let anyone tell you can't

Because you can and you will

And that is how you find happiness.

This last one is a little silly and I figure it’ll somewhat balance the first two.  But if you’ve read this blog, you’ll understand.

Beliebers Anonymous

I'm a little ashamed to admit that I have a soft spot for Justin Bieber

He is whiny and obnoxious and a teenager and a pop singer and Canadian, all things I hate

But somehow he sneaks his way onto my iPod--though just the one song

I swear, it's just the one song (though I might be open to others)

Though this boy king offers us rhymes of "fondue" and "you"

And sings one-word choruses, reiterating it over and over driving it so far deep into your head,

I must admit, I have mad respect for this kid,

This kid who went who went from street corners to sold-out arenas,

This kid who can hit notes like Freddie Mercury

Probably the best investment Usher has ever made

I'm sure Scooter Braun enjoys his pay check

Though I am guilty of helping project his fame

How many times I've requested his single, I do not wish to say

This is far more embarrassing than the time I decided I liked Flo-Rida--

Shorty got low low low low

Now please do not take away my man card for my confessions; I am just trying to be honest

It is not like I am proud of any of this

And I swear to you, you will not find any Bieber posters plastered on my wall

And I am not part of the reason why he is perpetually trending on Twitter

And you will never, ever, ever hear my call myself a "Belieber"

But I will say this: I would not be opposed to spending a day with this young man

In fact, you will find it on my Bucket List

Just to sit down and talk with one of the most influential figures

Who could very well be the next Paul McCartney despite his dorky get-up and silly haircuts.

EDIT: I did a rare re-write of the Bieber poem and wanted to share it here.

Beliebers Anonymous: A Music Snob's Confession

I am a little ashamed to admit that I kind of like justin bieber

And when I say a little, what I really mean is a lot--

This is worse than when I decided I liked Flo Rida thanks to Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder

I am, what I suppose you would call, a music snob

I like my folk music and indie rock and legit hip hop--

Bob Dylan, the Avett Bros, Mumford and Sons, The Kooks, and Kid Cudi

I'm the kind of guy who is open to new things but knows what he likes and what he doesn't

And I do not. Do not. Like pop music, no pop music unless it's from 1964--I love the Beatles, let's get that right

But somehow this high-pitched Canadian teeny-bopper has wedged his way into my heart and onto my iPod;

Please, do not laugh

No seriously, please do not laugh--this is a serious poem, not funny.

There is nothing more serious than when a music snob admits to liking a pop artist.

But seriously though, I am not sure we give him enough credit

I got mad respect for the Boy King

He might be all about image and style, but then again, so were The Beatles

And although he rhymes fondue with you

And references animated characters from before he was born,

The kid has talent; he can hit notes like no other

That is some Freddie Mercury kind of stuff

That is some Jesus Christ Superstar kind of stuff

That is shatter a glass of water kind of stuff

This kid used that talent to go from rags to riches, from street corners to sold-out arenas

It is easily a Cinderella kind of tale

Easily the best investment Usher has ever made; I'm sure Scotter Braun loves his bi-weekly pay

I would love to be able to sit down and talk with him a while

Cuz I admire his strive and dedication

And how much he is so willing to give back.

But even so, I'm embarassed to admit that I crank his latest single with the bass turned high;

It sometimes gets me stranges looks, especially with the windows down at the gas pump.