I can’t explain what drives this passion nor why it’s here. I can’t tell you why it’s here because it’s one of those moments if I told you I’d have to kill you, as the saying goes. But this… this is inspired by real people, in real time, that were more real to me than these words before my eyes. They’re people… real people that I love. And I felt compelled to write a memorial for them so that I may never forget. Please enjoy my poem “Never Forget”.

‘Tragedy’ is a harsh word when fallen upon the ears.

Often people view it as a trial over the years.

But my experience has been there’s a meaning far deeper than that

People tend to overlook when it comes down to fact.

I’ve learned that the meaning is an occurrence in someone’s grasp

That just goes horribly wrong without hope of turning back.

Love misplaced and sin pushed forward.

I hate to see the end.

But all too soon the end comes quickly

And drops right on my path.

In the beginning it was fine and I viewed it as a fact of life.

But again too soon I saw the gravity in which I was entrapped.

On and off the pain coursed through

Leaving its ugly stain.

But finally it stopped with a feeling anew

The only thing that could tame.

I realized deep within me a love began to grow.

The more I knew their story, the more I let it show.

I saw their dying hopes and dreams of minute size.

It made me pity them all the more.

I had to help their lives.

In the short time I had left, I helped the gospel spread.

I wanted it to reach them before their hopes were dead.

And sooner before later, the feeling became alive.

I knew that I loved them with all my heart could give.

The life that I loved became a quest that theirs might too.

So that they may live in happiness in all that they do.

And when the parting time had come

And my heart was ripped in two,

The only comfort that I had

Was the message I will tell you.

When life hands you lemons, don’t make lemonade,

But rather pass them on, that another’s thirst might be fulfilled.

Remember others out there without hope and only despair.

Think of them before yourself and show them that you care.

And now in life with this departure aching,

I have one thing left to be said.

No matter what happens in life,

I will never forget these people until I am dead.