Waxing Poetic:
Ken Janzen, my brother-in-law, died of lung cancer on January 18, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. He was at home surrounded by family. Kenny was a web designer, a painter, a composer of music and a great singer. He was 37 years old.
Because his web sites were not renewed and paid for, they all disappeared off the internet going out one by one, like little stars that were the last little evidence of his existence and his life's work. Kenny did some great web sites!
Because his web sites were not renewed and paid for, they all disappeared off the internet going out one by one, like little stars that were the last little evidence of his existence and his life's work. Kenny did some great web sites!
"I Walked To Kenny's Grave Today"
I walked to Kenny's grave today...
Snowflakes fell down
Like little kisses from heaven.
Canada Geese honked far off,
In their flight to who knows where?
I shed a tear...
I couldn't locate the tree, Kenny,
Where your mom lay?
They all looked the same to me.
So many names along the way,
I touched the stones and brushed the snow.
Where are you, Kenny, where did you go?
I looked up as I went...
Snowflakes touched my face,
Like little kisses from Heaven sent.
A dog barked in the cold, cold, air.
A sad thought came...are you really there?
A truck changed gear on a nearby road...
Sound of a jet plane headed someplace [warm I hope].
This death, this everything...so unfair!
These cemetery paths
Remind me of that old Beatles' song,
"The long and Winding Road"...
Which one will lead me to your door?
Snow-limned branches hung above my head;
Old knots and scarred bark with moss.
A black squirrel scampering
Nimbly from branch to branch;
My soul mourned your recent loss.
Ah, here you are, Kenneth Janzen: 1970-2008.
A plastic marker, no gravestone yet,
Same lane as Oma and Opa Boldt,
Just a couple of doors down,
Is it comforting that you are neighbours?
Or don't those things matter anymore?
Birds chirp cheerily, a lonely dog barks once more...
At what?
Is there any sense to me being here?
Making footprints in the snow,
In my fear...and anger?
No more NHL cups, Kenny,
No more Coffee Crisps or chocolate pudding
[To make those horrible meds go down]
I hope you're eating a big fat juicy steak right now!
My face turns upward toward the sky.
I feel an angel has brushed me by.
Snowflakes and kisses
Sent from Heaven above,
Touched my face with tender love.
-- John Hartig (Friday Feb. 1, 2008)
_______________________________________________
Poem Published: Solitude, A Collection Of New Canadian Poetry, Polar Expressions Publishing: Maple Ridge, British Columbia, © 2009, "I Walked To Kenny's Grave Today" by John Hartig, p. 44. ISBN 978-0-9811702-3-7
_______________________________________________
Link To St. Jerome's: John's Old High-School Web Site
Snowflakes fell down
Like little kisses from heaven.
Canada Geese honked far off,
In their flight to who knows where?
I shed a tear...
I couldn't locate the tree, Kenny,
Where your mom lay?
They all looked the same to me.
So many names along the way,
I touched the stones and brushed the snow.
Where are you, Kenny, where did you go?
I looked up as I went...
Snowflakes touched my face,
Like little kisses from Heaven sent.
A dog barked in the cold, cold, air.
A sad thought came...are you really there?
A truck changed gear on a nearby road...
Sound of a jet plane headed someplace [warm I hope].
This death, this everything...so unfair!
These cemetery paths
Remind me of that old Beatles' song,
"The long and Winding Road"...
Which one will lead me to your door?
Snow-limned branches hung above my head;
Old knots and scarred bark with moss.
A black squirrel scampering
Nimbly from branch to branch;
My soul mourned your recent loss.
Ah, here you are, Kenneth Janzen: 1970-2008.
A plastic marker, no gravestone yet,
Same lane as Oma and Opa Boldt,
Just a couple of doors down,
Is it comforting that you are neighbours?
Or don't those things matter anymore?
Birds chirp cheerily, a lonely dog barks once more...
At what?
Is there any sense to me being here?
Making footprints in the snow,
In my fear...and anger?
No more NHL cups, Kenny,
No more Coffee Crisps or chocolate pudding
[To make those horrible meds go down]
I hope you're eating a big fat juicy steak right now!
My face turns upward toward the sky.
I feel an angel has brushed me by.
Snowflakes and kisses
Sent from Heaven above,
Touched my face with tender love.
-- John Hartig (Friday Feb. 1, 2008)
_______________________________________________
Poem Published: Solitude, A Collection Of New Canadian Poetry, Polar Expressions Publishing: Maple Ridge, British Columbia, © 2009, "I Walked To Kenny's Grave Today" by John Hartig, p. 44. ISBN 978-0-9811702-3-7
_______________________________________________
Link To St. Jerome's: John's Old High-School Web Site
