Thanksgiving Day

Today I gave thanks
that Dennis pulled thru
he walked on the edge
three weeks with the angels
guess they heard our pleas
not sure how he feels about it
but they brought him back
for now.. http://greggorycrowquatrain.blogspot.com/2008/11/ode-to-dennis.html

Ode to Joey

Leonard Joe Zelaski , LCPL - E3 - Marine Corp.
March 2nd, 1968 - TET Offensive
Quang Tri Province
Quang Viet River
Casualty, KIA
Small Arms Fire, Gun

Hey Joe,
I remember the day man
the day the shitty green station wagon pulled up
two guys dressed in OD green
I remember they had to show you under glass
like serving up a pheasant
Your Mom got a Silver Star Joe
they said you died a 'hero'
saving one of your own



I traced your name from the black granite wall
I'll see you later...okay?

If Only

If only when I thought of you
The sun would touch your face
If only when I called your name
You could feel my warm embrace

If only I could say once more
How much you mean to me
If only I could let you go
Leave what shall be shall be

Each day these things I ask above
For the heavens on high to show
As my eyes gaze towards the sky
If only the answer was not no

So yet another tear I cry

Ode to Dennis

They say you may not make it
Pneumonia is taking it's toll
So I held your hand and talked to you
I asked you not to go

I made small talk and silly jokes
Reminded you of Bullwinkle too
Anything I thought would help
As I watched the monitors for a clue

I asked God not to take you now
I asked you to stay awhile
And as selfish an act as that may seem
It came out of my love for you pal

I know your life has been hell on earth
Your mind was tormented for years
And I know the big sleep will bring you peace
But it will also bring a flood of tears

And if you find you have to go, then go easily my brother
But I need to tell you this one thing first
There is a great big family here around you, of which I am but one
This is hurt for all of us, but for me it seems the worst

We are asking God not to take you yet; and asking you to wait
With us your life is not done
We need you here among us, your Mom & Dad, Sis and Dave...
So please stay a little longer man, don't step into the grave

So now that the darkest of hours are near
We ask you thru Gods voice to stay
We aren't ready for this Dennis
You can put this off for now; pick it up another day

Come back to us and stay
There will be time for this...another time, another day

The day the world went flat

I can't describe you to Everest,
nor the Marianas trench

Though...
it's true I've tread the lowest of valleys,
and climbed the highest of highs
I always managed to get back home,

And so...
once I got the word
of what was faced ahead
I slipped beyond the edge

I pay for all I've done in life
and for every word I've said

To my wife

I thank you for standing by me
For helping me to find my way
If it were not for you to guide me
I could not face another day