Untitle by Lyzzie Christman: This is actually a song...I was medititating and I heard him start singing this to me. I know this sounds crazy (especially since it's the second time this has happened) but I have to share this stuff with all of you. Untitled How do you know that where I am Ain't where I'm s'possed to be? And how do you keep your strongest dreams From crashing like the sea? When do you know it's best to quit And leave the family? How do I leave and say good-bye To all you who mean so much to me? And when you're reminded that I'm gone Remember just one thing... Chorus That I am home Right where I belong I am home With all of those we lost And I am home- Home to stay Angels swoop with bright white wings All around my mind Demons warm and pray on thoughts Of all you I left behind How do I make them go away? How can I comfort you? What do I have to do so that You know I love you. Chorus And that I am home Right where I belong I am home With all of those we lost And I am home- Home to stay People cry and tear fall down Like big fat drops of rain Friend, they laugh remembering My 17 year stay But now- Chorus And that I am home Right where I belong I am home With all of those we lost And I am home- Home to stay You should know now, I am home Where I'm s'possed to be. Never let you strongest hopes Fall like waves into the sea. Sweet Angel, Fallen Angel by Grace Lloyd: Fallen Angel spread your wings; You cannot feel the sorrow you bring. You used to play on your guitar; Brought joy with your voice; you went very far. I miss you Angel. Sweet Angel of life, Why did you bring upon us this strife? Why did you take your most prized possession? Why didn't you show your deep depression? Sweet Angel, Fallen Angel Jump in the sky and spread your wings. Do you not know the sorrow you bring? In life you sang along with us, Laughed and lived with all of us... None if us can comprehend What made you choose this fatal end? You were a friend and a good companion Even when troubles went as deep as a canyon. Sweet Angel, Fallen Angel I wish you could hear the words I say; I wish you could have lived another day. I wish you knew how we loved you so, But to a different place you had to go. I hope you are safe, I hope you are well, I hope you are happier than when you fell. Sweet Angel, Fallen Angel I suppose that this is Goodbye. So wave your hand, spread your wings, Jump into the air and fly. Regarding the post beneath this message: by Joseph Della Malva: I thought I should make it known that I asked my English Professor to tell me what she thought of the poem I wrote for John, much in the same way I used to ask John what he thought of my earlier work, (See below "From Jackikeracky to John"). She, in turn, took my poem and submitted it to the College's literary magazine where it won 1st place Editor's Choice; moreover, I'll be representing this and other works at a state wide literary convention (Florida, it it can be called a state). Thank you for the boost John. From Jackikeracky to John by Joseph Della Malva: For John For one night we were blue in green, you and I, and I remember fog, flying white-knuckle-hard-stomach down the 101, the 92, and the 280 to where we grazed like kings in a stone grotto: some diner by Bel Mateo on the old El. I examined you over a cup of coffee and a red sliver of pie and you sized me up over the greasiest pile of curly fries I’ve, as yet, had the misfortune to encounter, and we made our brief plans against the world. Little did I know how well you sketched your schematic until just a few days ago, when I heard you’d gone. Later, I stepped out of your car, corroded much faster by the stress you kneaded, pressed, purpled-vein-granite-neck, into that motor misty, than by any familiar signs of age, thinking in a silent way ‘at least I don’t have to do this again’, stunned by two isthmuses, almost a bridge, over some deep-yawning-long-rolling sarcasm and, same-struck-still-stunned, now that I can never reach that friendlier, greener edge, except to whisper from this side of autumn leaves. Beautiful Angel by anonymous: I close my eyes In fear of the dark But I know you are with me Even though we are apart I close my eyes And dream of the day When I can see your face and smile. I open my eyes Without fear of the dark Because I know God has given me An angel who is dear to my heart I open my eyes And will always remember We have not lost a life, but I have gained a beautiful angel RIP john These Words by Nick Buford: So hear these words I sing for you I hope that you're ok Just close your eyes and forget those tears And wash the pain away. Without you in our lives it will be so hard to carry on But just for you, oh just for you We will all be strong. We miss you so very much I hope it's just a dream Rest in peace, our dear old friend In loving memory. El camino a Panajachel by Eliot Lash: Ayer, yo anduve camino aquel Yo caminé lejos de tu corazón Hoy vuelvo a nuevo a Panajachel Mi alma vuelve al antiguo elación. Thanks to Josh Wolf for helping me with the last line. Here is an English translation: The road to Panajachel Yesterday, I wandered that road I walked away from your heart Today, I return anew to Panajachel My soul returns to its former joy. What Happened by Matthew Wohl: What happened? I may not even know this kid. But his fall lead to everything that made sick. For some reason I'll always return to mourn those who fall to begin. You are strangely in my heart, unknown soldier. What happened? Progression of mankind. Beautiful Nothingness by Rachel Weber: In the moments when the sun is just setting The stages of pre-pubescent midnights There are two of us sitting in the back of the world Staring off into the distance A flash of color lights the sky Glittering, golden fireworks just barely visible out over the bay And you pull me closer For nothing else matters besides the pull of your arms The sky grows darker, fogged over No longer are the flashes visible The sky cries, giant tears for what we have lost Your arms become fainter, not so tangible Merely outlines, and the tears grow more frequent Creating puddles in the mud next to our – my – blanket And even as they had started, Tears are gone Pulling you with them Refusing to reveal the bitter truths So I am alone in the back of the world Left only with my memory of you Brother by Brian Connor: brother, hold on now just take deep breaths like you always practiced to and i’ll be there singing along brother, where’d you go? i just saw your smile and heard your voice last night but now i’m left to sing alone why did you leave so unexpectedly? why’d you leave? to control your fate so desperately? brother, think of me because i think of each and every memory twelve years of better times than these brother, sing out loud sing for all these people crowded in this room your voice will carry in our hearts Tears for John Skinner by Pefy Fraser: Tears of rain pour on our heads today A gloom sets in, oppression deeply felt... We ask, "Why does it rain? So sad..." But let's try to see them in a different way. They are tears of joy, sadness, and anger... Tears of pain and sympathy all around... Soaking our heads, penetrating our hearts, The world crying with us... John doesn't suffer. We see no good in all these tears so heavy? So we hate the rain, want it to quickly stop? What about his memory, do we want that? Think hard about it, and you will surely see That these tears of rain are John's way Of saying hi to us... of touching all of us... Of not blaming us and telling us to stay strong, And reminding us to remember him today. Remember the good, the difficult, the funny; Remember not the day that we lost him... For he is really not gone; he's in our hearts And will forever watch over you and me.