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Dennis De Rose Poem
What's that in your hand?. Let me see.. He said.
It's a picture; that`s Chuck; he is my friend... I said.
You pick your friends kinda young, don't you?... He said.
No, that was a long time ago. We were in college... I said.
I'd like to hear more about your pal Chuck... He said.
Okay... I met Chuck in New Paltz in `74... I said.
Oh, that's the pot smoking college, isn't it... He said.
Don't generalize, everyone's not the same... I said.
You're right. So tell me some more about Chuck... He said.
Okay, so you want the short version, or long one ... I said.
Whatever you like, I have plenty of time ... He said.
Well, this guy Chuck approaches me; he looks perplexed... I said.
So what was his issue. Why that look on his face... He said.
Chuck tells me "No one will stay with me in the room."... I said.
How odd is that? That doesn't make sense... He said.
You and I swing one way, Chuck swings the other. ... I said.
Now I see what the problem was; What did you do?... He said.
What do you think ? That doesn't bother me.... I said.
Hey, you want to hear a funny story? It's a side splitter... I said.
I've got time. I could use a good laugh right about now... He said.
Chuck had a 53 Schwinn bicycle, all chrome, red and white... I said.
You've got to be kidding me. I haven't seen one in years.... He said.
I'd hop on back. We`d go to town and chug down a few together... I said.
That's not funny. Where's the punchline? So what happened?... He said.
Well, one day Chuck failed a test and got super pissed off.... I said.
That's not funny either. You've got to do better than that.... He said.
He yanked on the handlebar so hard, he busted it clean in half... I said.
Wow ! Did they have "Funniest Home Videos" back then?... He said.
That's not all. We had so much fun together. There's more... I said.
Don't keep me in suspense. Lay it on me..... He said
There was this girl; unique with a special attribute.... I said.
What was so special? Three breasts instead of two?... He said.
No joke, her name was Madam Clittora! Enough said... I said.
I can't believe that. You gonna leave me hanging?... He said.
Anyway, shortly after that, I graduated. Chuck was younger.... I said.
So what happened to Chuck? Good friends keep in touch... He said.
We saw him two years later. We visited With his family, was nice... I said.
Ever see them again? You shouldn't desert a friend.... He said.
You're right. But things don't always pan out... I said.
So what does that mean? You both seemed quite close.... He said.
I was married at the time with a lot of responsibilities... I said.
So that's no excuse. You should've kept in touch... He said.
After that, I didn't. Time changes things. Wasn't intentional.... I said.
So is there more to this story? There's got to be more... He said.
Oh, there is. Time moves on. 35 years later... I said.
It's 2010 and out of the blue, I think of my old pal Chuck... I said.
So you didn't forget him after all, but almost... He said.
It's a gamble, Chuck Drzal was in the phonebook; I called... I said.
Good for you. You took a chance, renewed a friendship... He said.
You're right. Just like old times. `74 again. What a feeling... I said.
So what happened next. Tell me quick, can't wait... He said.
We talked off and on, old times and new things; it was good... I said.
So it sounds like things are really working out for you guys... He said.
We saw Chuck, in the summertime; looked good for 52... I said.
Hey that's great news; Is there more to the story?... He said.
A little more... His friend died the day after we saw him... I said.
Oh, bummer. Sorry to hear that. How`s Chuck now?... He said.
Called him in November. His diamond ring was stolen... I said.
Wow ! That's a real downer. Did they catch the bastard?... He said
No !... I said.
There's got to be more than that. Call him since then?... He said..
Yeah... but... I called twice... he never answered the phone... I said.
Well, I hope you find out how he is doing?... He said.
I did. Saw his obit a few days ago. He died November 17th... I said.
He looked at me. A tear rolled down his cheek... He said nothing..
I looked at him. Couldn't speak, all choked up.... I said nothing.
He looked at me. Gave me a hug, turned and walked away.
I yelled to the universe... "That's Chuck, he's my friend!"
Copyright © Dennis De Rose | Year Posted 2013
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Dennis De Rose Poem
I went to church when I was five,
Sunday School, never missed.
I looked over; who did I see?
Well, of course, I saw Pearl teaching.
Time went by and I got older,
I graduated to the “big church”.
I looked over, I sat on the left.
Who was on the right, Pearl.
Once a month, every month,
Usually the first Sunday… Food`s aplenty.
Go downstairs to eat, who`s there?
Right again. Pearl, with bowl in hand, always happy.
Time goes by, I'm married now.
It's Sunday. Church again; this time with family.
I look to the right, across the aisle,
and who`s there? Right again. Pearl…
1999, it's a very sad Sunday in church.
My Gramzer, upfront in casket; she passed away.
I stood up, turned around, I said a few words.
Who do I see? Pearl, handkerchief in hand, wiping away a tear.
It`s Sunday, Church, Choir time.
I walk up front and once again,
Looking behind me, I see...
Pearl, ready to sing for Jesus.
Time goes by; my whole family is with me.
We're on the left, as usual.
It's been 55 years since that first Sunday.
I look over. Who do I see? I see Pearl once again.
Pearl, I thank God for you…
Copyright © Dennis De Rose | Year Posted 2013
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Dennis De Rose Poem
How hard could it be to take my first step?
“Come to mommy, you can do it.”
“Oh you're home. Hon, look at him go.”
As I take another step, he picks me up.
He hugs me tight but gently and kisses me on the cheek.
I feel so safe, loved and happy. Perhaps that's how it was.
(I really don't remember back that far.)
How hard could it be, my first day at school.
My mom meets me at the front door of the building,
hugs me and says, “How was your first day? Did you have fun today?”
He comes home after a hard day at work and mom says,
“Hi Hon, it was Den’s first day of school.”
He picks me up in his strong arms and says,
“I knew you could do it.” A hug and a kiss on the cheek.
How hard could it be to learn how to drive a car or a truck?
“Den, come with me. Let's take a short ride down the road.”
We both climb up into Dad's blue 1955 Chevy pickup.
He stops on the back road, gets out, comes around and says, “Scoot over. It's
your turn.”
I start the engine, push in the clutch, shift and we start out slowly.
I'm nervous, I speed up, clutch in, shift again.
Oh crap, I shifted into reverse, truck stopped abruptly and backfired.
Dad looks at me, “But you did it.“ He hugs me, a kiss on the cheek.
How hard could it be to go away to college?
I'm so glad she has a phone so I can call my mom and dad.
“Hi Den, how are things going? You've got a B average.
That's great. I knew you could do it. I love you, see you soon.”
“You met a girl? What's her name? Wow, see you soon. I love you”
“You want to marry her? Big step; in Holland? Okay, we love you.”
How hard could it be to have a family?
“Oh, it's a girl. Mireille, that's a nice name.” He hugs me, kiss on the cheek.
“Another girl, Michelle, that's a nice name too.” He hugs me, kiss on the cheek.
“You finally had a boy, Michael, good choice.” Hug and a kiss.
Birthdays, holidays, weekends, visits back and forth, phone calls.
He loves them all, unconditionally. Hugs and kisses all around.
How hard could it be as life goes on?
He watches them grow up, get married and have children.
He loves them all, unconditionally, hugs and kisses all around.
We take short trips and mom and Dad go with us now and then.
We go camping and mom and Dad visit us now and then.
Every time you left, hugs and kisses all around. Always, “See you soon.”
Copyright © Dennis De Rose | Year Posted 2013
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Dennis De Rose Poem
How hard could it be on a beautiful Saturday?
Brian calls us, “Hurry up. They are taking Dad to the hospital.”
Brian meets me at the door, ”Dad didn't make it.”
I scream, “Oh my God.” I crumple into a ball just outside the hospital door.
I yell, “Why, my God, why, my Dad?” I turned purple (that's what Brian said.)
I compose myself; I get up and we walk into that little room.
How hard could it be to say goodbye to my heart?
He's lying there, a tube sticking out of his mouth.
I touch him, still warm, I say, “I'll miss you.”
They leave, I turn back, I touch him, still warm, I say,
“I love you a million.” I walk out, tough as nails, quaking on the inside.
In my head I hear, “You can do it Den.” I feel a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
How hard can it be to bury my Dad?
Sunday, we all meet at mom's, we talk, we hug, we cry.
Monday, we all meet at mom's; we talk, we hug, we cry.
Tuesday, the wakes, double dread. I stand there, tough as nails, quaking on the
inside. “You can do it,” he says to me.
Wednesday, the funeral, all the flowers, over 280 people saying goodbye to my
Dad. I hear him still, “You can do it.”
Thursday, I sit here writing this poem, tears run down my face. “You can do it,”
he is saying to me.
Friday, we will bury my Dad's ashes; a copy of this will be put in that little
wooden house-shaped box. We will cry; I know it. His spirit will surround us
with his love. He'll give us all hugs and kisses all around.
How hard can it be to go on?
“My God, Jesus, please help me.”
I hear Jesus saying, “Trust in me and your burdens will be lifted.”
“Dad, why did you leave us so soon?”
I hear Dad saying,” It was my time and I was ready to go home. Don't cry for me.
Celebrate my life and have a party. I will always be sitting next to you, Den. You
can do it.” Hugs and kisses all around.
Thank you, Jesus, my heavenly father. I trust in you and praise your name.
And thank you Dad for your unconditional love,unselfish support and your
heartfelt hugs and kisses. I`ll be okay. See you soon. I love you.
Copyright © Dennis De Rose | Year Posted 2013
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