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It’s Poetry Month and Organ Donation Month

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

It’s Poetry Month and Organ Donation Month, all at once! Be a donor! Be a writer! Be a reader!

Here is “Have A Heart,” originally written for a young man who underwent his second heart transplant at age 20 (the first was as an infant), and a kidney transplant, also at age 20. And he’s doing great! Steve Jobs was an organ recipient. And former VP Dick Cheney is now a heart recipient. Be an organ donor! And write or read a poem!

Have A Heart

*

Sometimes life can break a heart –

it cannot stand the strain.

But no one lives a life, we know,

that does not have some pain.

But I have seen the frantic eyes

of mothers in their tears –

overwhelmed by life itself,

overwhelmed with fears –

fearing that the kids they love

will live but months, not years.

And I have heard the quiet prayers

of fathers in the dark

asking God to give their sons

just one more healthy heart.

I have seen the heartache

of a husband for his wife,

who needs a healthy kidney

so she can can have her life.

There are so many children,

so many broken hearts,

needing just a little help –

perhaps a few spare parts.

Your gift can save a mom or dad

or help a child survive.

You can mend a broken heart

and keep someone alive.

There are so many people

who are just like me

whose lives might well be mended

and you might hold the key.

I’m not asking for a favor;

I’m just looking for a friend

who wants to help another life

reach its destined end.

Your life can keep on giving

even when you’re gone.

You will go on living

as someone else lives on.

You see, there are so many lives

that you can help to mend.

Be a gift. Have a heart.

Be the one to save a life:

your life will live again.

Disclaimer: I am not an organ recipient, and I hope I never have to be one. But, for all of us, it’s good to know that the medical technology and skills are there if we need it. And, it’s good to know that there are donors too!

Tags: "a gift of life", "daniel mark picture poems", "donate life", "Have a Heart", "heart transplant", "organ transplant", "poems of inspiration", Health, heirlooms, kidney donation, organ donation, picture poems, poem, poems, poetry
Posted in Family-Children, Health, Love and Family, Organ Donation | No Comments »

Donate Life: April is National Organ Donation Month

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

“So Hope Will Live”

This poem was written as a thank you from an organ recipient to his or her donor and donor family. It is called “So Hope Will Live.” It can be etched with room for a photograph. See it in the Store. Disclaimer: I am not an organ recipient, but I know someone who is, and his gratitude, as you can imagine, is eternal, as is his family’s. We all hope that we will never need the gift of an organ, but it is sure nice to know that if we do, there are donors and families who care, and there are medical professionals who have the skills and the caring to facilitate the donation. And sad as it is that someone needs a donor, and sad as it is that the donor is often a deceased young person, the gift of life joins two families.

So Hope Will Live

We are strangers now a family,

forever joined – not by choice –

but joined by need and joined by pain:

a cry for love, a cry for life,

so hope will live, eternally,

born of saddest irony.

Life will never be the same –

not for you and not for me.

One you love – who shares your name –

now is gone, but I remain:

a second chance, a new domain –

a gift of life that lives in me,

strangers now a family.

A part of you now lives in me,

and we are joined like family –

not in blood and not in name,

different, yes, and yet the same –

joined in cause and common voice –

knowing that there is a choice

to donate life to someone else

so they may live their life again.

May each life be for all

a light ahead in driving rain.

Your gift has given life to me –

a gift of love, born of pain;

joined by science, joined by fate –

a bond that bridges life and death –

a bond of love, a bond of pain –

a sad and strange irony –

a gift of life now given me,

and strangers now a family,

burdens borne with different names.

Know that I am grateful

for the life you gave to me.

May my life give you light

wherever you may be.

And may my life bring comfort

from the pain that hurts you so:

we are strangers now a family,

wherever we may go.

And may the life that lives in me

shine the light so all can see

that life goes on ironically

when we choose to donate life,

so hope will live eternally.

Donate Life!

Tags: "a gift of life", "daniel mark picture poems", "donate life", "gift of life", "organ transplant", family, gift, gifts, Health, heirlooms, legacies, love, organ donation poem, picture poems, poetry, poetry to honor deceased person, So Hope Will Live, transplant
Posted in Family-Children, Health, Organ Donation | No Comments »

March 11: One Year Since the Tsunami

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

It seems hard to believe, but it has been a year since the tsunami hit Japan and severely damaged the nuclear reactor. I am re-running “Winds of Death: Nature Claims Its Victory”.

Wind of Death: Nature Claims Its Victory

How now shall the living live

with so much life now gone?

Nature moved the water’s edge –

an echo of a rumbling thunder

urging waves to drive asunder

an ancient land to history’s ledge –

illumined by a modern sun

that now becomes invented dawn

glowing upward from the ground,

naked now with walls all gone –

bringing clouds on wispy wind

that burns the skin but makes no sound.

How now shall the living live

with death now floating all around?

We look for faces on the shore

amid the fish and cars and ships,

brought to us by seismic blips

in ways we have not known before.

Nature mocks with every tide;

beaches fill with those who died.

We turn away from the winds,

but see the fires and the clouds,

knowing they can kill the crowds

searching ground, searching sea

for glimpse of life among the dead,

a thousand thoughts in our head.

Nature took what we had made

and we can only wait and see

if life itself now will fade.

The clouds we made are moving now;

we watch the winds so warily:

Hearts with hope submerged in dread.

We feel the winds; we see the dead.

We ask ourselves: What are we now?”

We ask ourselves: “What will we be?”

Our minds benumbed of clarity,

we stumble through the lives we were,

victims of technology:

Nature claims its victory.

Tags: "daniel mark picture poems", "tsunami poem", Health, memorial poem for family member, memorial poetry, Nature, Nature Claims it Victory, nature poem, picture poems, poem, poems, poetry, poetry to honor deceased person, technology poem, Tsunami, Winds of Death, wisdom
Posted in Health, Love and Family, Memorial Picture Poem, News | No Comments »

That You Remember Me Part II of II

Sunday, February 5th, 2012

This is Part II of two parts of a poem called “That You Remember Me.” This was written in reference to Alzheimer’s Disease, which afflicts so many people and their families. I wondered what it must be like to realize that one’s mind is becoming forgetful. The victim must fear being forgotten, just as they are forgetting. How frightening that must be. Please give generously to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

That You Remember Me

I love to watch a baseball game,

or listen to the birds.

I love to tell you secrets.

I love to hear your words.

I love for you to sit with me;

perhaps you’ll hold my hand

and tell me that you love me–

that I’ll understand.

My mind has ways of taking me

where I don’t want to go.

I know I know your name, you see;

just right now it’s hard for me

to think of things I really know,

and to know what really is

and what may not be so.

Though I might forget you,

it’s important that you see

just how much it means to me

that you remember me.

* * *

Posted in Family-Children, Health, Love and Family | No Comments »

Alzheimer’s Disease: That You Remember Me

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

That You Remember Me

Part one of two parts

I’ve learned so much throughout my life,

but there’s much I don’t recall.

I know it’s in there somewhere

but it’s hard to find it all.

It’s not that I’ve forgotten you,

or the things I said I’d do;

I remember everything

but it’s hidden somewhere I can’t see

just beyond my view.

You see, there is a shadow where

there didn’t used to be,

and sometimes when I look right there

it just confuses me.

I remember lovely flowers,

and songs I used to sing.

I remember springtime showers,

and rainbows they would bring.

I remember movies

and who would be the star,

but sometimes it’s so hard for me

to know just who you are.

Donate to Alzhiemer’s research.

Tags: "daniel mark picture poems", "poems of inspiration", Alzheimer's poem, Alzheimers disease, family, gifts, heirlooms, memorial poem for family member, poems, poetry, That You Remember Me
Posted in Health, Love and Family, Memorial Picture Poem | No Comments »

Ron Santo: A True Hall of Famer. Thataway, Ronnie!

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

After too many years, and one year too late, Ron Santo is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He died just over one year ago, and so he did not know during his lifetime that he had finally received major league baseball’s highest honor: to be elected and enshrined in the Hall of Fame. I hope he knows now! But more than baseball, he was an advocate for the children who suffer from the disease that he suffered from most of his life. He had Juvenile Diabetes, and during his career, few knew that he had to test his blood and give himself insulin multiple times a day in order to save his life and health. He committed his life to helping children who suffered from this disease, helping the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to raise over $ 60 million to support research to find a cure for it, and to help the children, all while undergoing two leg amputations and multiple other health issues. I am re-running this poem in honor of his Hall of Fame election. It is called “For Every Kid.” And thank you, Ron Santo, a true Hall of Famer!

For Every Kid

You played the nation’s greatest game

with talent and with fire,

reaching deep within yourself

yet always reaching so much higher.

It is a game learned by boys,

yet also played by men.

You played the game so you’d inspire

everyone to have some fun–

so men would play like boys again.

There was a joy to making catch

that others might not make,

or to drive the runner home

when victory was at stake.

Every game was a test

of stamina and will.

You always gave your very best:

you played with passion;

you played with skill;

stars may dim but never rest.

And when the games were over

and the crowds were getting thin,

you gave yourself to different cause,

more determined now than ever

to fight the fight and to win.

You saw the children suffer

from the burdens that you knew.

You gave your all the only way

that you knew how to do:

have a passion; set a goal;

make a plan; then pursue.

You knew their hurt; you knew their pain;

you knew the fear in each one’s brain.

You showed them courage;

you gave them hope.

You taught them how to live and cope;

you showed them that there was no shame.

You gave yourself; you gave your name:

you kept the kids in the game.

So thank you, Mr. Santo,

for everything you did:

for the game; for the Cubs;

and most of all–above it all–

for the love you showed for every kid.

You fought the fight every day

and still you played the game.

the Biggest Leagues have called you up:

You’re a star in every sense–

you’re in Heaven’s Hall of Fame.

Congratulations to Ron Santo! All good things to his family!

Tags: "Hall of Fame", "poems of inspiration", "Ron Santo", "the power of words", baseball, chicago cubs, child, heirlooms, Juvenile Diabetes, love, memorial poetry, passion, picture poems, poetry
Posted in Family-Children, Health, Love and Family, Memorial Picture Poem, Sports | No Comments »

Steve Jobs: Organ Recipient / Gratitude to Donors of Life

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

So Hope Will Live (Part IV of IV)

Today we conclude So Hope Will Live. This is Part IV.

Boston College has a motto: “Ever to Excel.” It is adopted from Homer’s Iliad.

It is a great motto for a great university and for all of us,

because it encapsulates a pursuit that all of us should undertake.

Steve Jobs pursued excellence and his legacy will long remain so long as others do the same. And he was allowed to continue his pursuit of excellence even after a devastating diagnosis because of the intelligence and talents of medical professionals, and because of the generous gift of life from an organ donor.

As I said earlier, this poem was not written with Steve Jobs in mind, but it might express his sense of gratitude to his donor. We do know that while he was alive, he did thank his donor. This poem is written from the perspective of a recipient to his or her donor and family. Two families are now bonded in a way like no other.

Strangers are indeed now a family.

Donate Life. Your Life Will Go on Living.

So Hope Will Live Part IV of IV

Know that I am grateful

for the life you gave to me.

May my life give you light

wherever you might be.

And may my life bring comfort

from the pain that hurts you so;

we are strangers now a family,

wherever we may go.

And may the life that lives in me

shine a light so all can see

that life goes on, ironically,

when we choose to donate life,

so hope will live, eternally.

P.S. I have not yet read Walter Isaacson’s book entitled, simply, Steve Jobs, but I intend to.

Tags: "a gift of life", "daniel mark picture poems", "donate life", "organ transplant", "poems of inspiration", Donors of life, inspiration, legacies, love, organ donation, picture poems, poetry to honor deceased person, poetry to honor organ donor, So Hope Will Live, Thank you to organ donor and family
Posted in Health, Love and Family, Organ Donation | No Comments »

Steve Jobs: Organ Recipient Extraordinary Life Part III of IV

Friday, October 14th, 2011

The tributes to this remarkable man continue all over the internet. The following poem was not written with Steve Jobs in mind, but it might reflect the gratitude he felt for his donor.

Below you will see Part III of “So Hope Will Live.”

Donate Life! Be an organ donor.

So Hope Will Live (Part III of IV)

Your gift has given life to me –

a gift of love, born of pain –

joined by science, joined by fate -

a bond that bridges life and death –

a bond of love; a bond of pain -

a sad and strange irony –

a gift of life now given me,

and strangers now a family,

burdens borne with different names.

Tags: "a gift of life", "daniel mark picture poems", "donate life", "organ transplant", "poems of inspiration", "the power of words", gift, gifts, Health, heirlooms, inspiration, organ donation, picture poems, poems, poetry, poetry to honor deceased person
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Steve Jobs Part II: An Extraordinary Life; An Organ Recipient

Monday, October 10th, 2011

This is Part II of a poem called “So Hope Will Live,” which was written last year. It was not written with Steve Jobs in mind, but it is a poem written from the perspective of an organ recipient who is alive because of someone else’s gift. Donate Life: Your life will go on living. www.donatelife.org.

Part II of “So Hope Will Live:”

A part of you now lives in me

and we are joined like family –

not in blood and not in name,

different, yes, but yet the same –

joined in cause and common voice –

knowing that there is a choice

to donate life to someone else

so they may live their life again.

May each life be for all

a light ahead in driving rain.

Also, give to JDRF. For the children.

Tags: "a gift of life", "daniel mark picture poems", "donate life", "organ transplant", "poems of inspiration", Commemoration, extraordinary, gift, gifts, Health, heirlooms, legacies, memorial poetry, picture poems, poems, poetry, Steve Jobs
Posted in Health, Love and Family, Organ Donation, Updates | No Comments »

Steve Jobs: An Organ Recipient; A Man Who Changed Our World

Friday, October 7th, 2011

Far too young.

Steve Jobs lost his battle with pancreatic cancer this week.

But remember that without a donated liver, he would likely have lost his battle several years ago.

The world lost one of its best a couple of days ago. Lost in the outpouring of accolades for a genius committed to excellence is the fact that he outlived his life expectancy. He was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer years ago, but most who have heard that diagnosis have only months to live. How did Steve Jobs survive so long? In part because he received a liver from an organ donor a couple of years ago. He thanked his donor in one of his speeches, and acknowledged that he was alive because of that generous gift. I did a poem last year entitled “So Hope Will Live,” written from the perspective of a recipient and serving as a “thank you” to organ donors and their families. The poem was not written with Steve Jobs in mind, but it might express his sentiments. Here is Part I of that poem:

So Hope Will Live (Part I)

We are strangers now a family,

forever joined – not by choice –

but joined by need and joined by pain:

different lives, but common voice –

a cry for love, a cry for life,

so hope will live, eternally,

born of saddest irony.

Life will never be the same –

not for you and not for me:

One you love – who shares your name –

now is gone, but I remain:

a second chance, a new domain –

a gift of life, that lives in me;

we are strangers now a family.

Be an organ donor: www.donatelife.org.

Tags: "a gift of life", "daniel mark picture poems", "donate life", "organ transplant", "poems of inspiration", gift, gifts, organ donation, organ recipient, picture poems, poem, poems, poetry, Steve Jobs
Posted in Health, News, Organ Donation | No Comments »