as news of your tragic death traveled
When I got the dreaded call that day
I fell to my knee's; My life unraveled
Who knew your adventure at the U.S. Open
would be the last day of your young life
You were only 27 with so much left to do
the loss so unexpected, it cut us like a knife
A thunderstorm came out of nowhere
golf spectator's started to flee
You and Scott headed for safety
thinking it would be best under a tree
You wore old worn out shoes that day
which made the hit more frightening
The energy traveled through the hole
your life cut short by lightening
Written for dVerse Poets Pub
MeetingtheBar Night
We were asked to write a tribute to friendship
or to the beloved man and fellow Poet~Dave King
who sadly passed away recently.
it's so tough when the place we run to for shelter turns out to be the most dangerous place..
ReplyDeleteHi Claudia-The saddest thing is they ran under one tree but then decided the tree over was safer. Billy and his friends were hit and the people at the other tree were unscathed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think many people realise that in a storm where lightning is present it is safer being out in the open than under anything which may act as a transmitter. However, we are all wiser in hindsight. Sad.
ReplyDeleteThis is a terribly sad Linda to lose a friend in such circumstances! A loss you have beautifully expressed.
ReplyDeleteSuch a tragic end to a young life.....hard to fathom just WHY... Another reminder of why we need to embrace the people in our lives while they are with us, and I think this extends also (thinking of Dave King) to those we embrace online in our own way.
ReplyDeleteoh, not a time when you would think of death...off to do something fun...and then....and then....we are left with this gaping hole in our lives....gave me a shiver...
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness- this is such a terrible incident-- you describe it very vividly--there is just something about the ironies of all of the language of this incident which is especially sad--the holes, the open--So sorry. k.
ReplyDeleteThere ought to be signs up under very tree on a golf course. Such a classic case. Strong write.
ReplyDeleteHow tragic and sad ~ So sorry about this ~
ReplyDeleteI can feel the pain in your words. So sorry for your loss of this friend Linda.
ReplyDeleteHi Roslyn-yes,you are right- it is not safe to seek shelter under a tree during a storm. It was such a tragedy to lose our friend so young. I think about him all the time.
ReplyDeleteHi Gabriella-that was such a dark and sad time when we lost Billy. He was my twin sister's soul mate and boyfriend of many years. Thank you for coming by and reading my poem.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Mary~We need to remind ourselves daily that life is short and to embrace every moment with those we love~even our online friends that we share our deep feelings and experiences with.
ReplyDeleteHey Brian-I know, talk about a sad end to what should have been a great and exciting day. It's a great reminder to us that you never know when your time will be and to live life to the fullest. Losing a friend so young taught me to be grateful for every day were given.
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing out those ironies in my poem. I didn't even realize it until you said it. It was a very sad day that took all of us by surprise. I think of him everyday.
ReplyDeleteHi Aprille~I do believe they made changes at the golf course after this tragedy.Thanks for coming by, I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteHi Grace-thanks for your kind words of comfort. I still think about my friend every day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your supportive and comforting words. It feels like it just happened yesterday. He was such a special person and good friend. He dated my twin sister on and off for years, so he was part of the family.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sad story, Linda. At first I thought it was going to be about Payne Stewart who was killed in a plane crash the year he won the US Open. I remember that clearly. But bringing it even closer to home...wow. I remember a similar death...50+ years later I remember I was eating chop suey when we heard of it.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to learn of your loss. It is very difficult when someone is young. Heart-rending.
ReplyDeleteA heart wrenching story.. struck by lighting.. and under a tree. So tragic
ReplyDeleteStrong emotions come through in this--very sad to experience the loss of a young life. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteVictoria~It is interesting that you even remembered what you were eating that day.ItgGoes to show how we all affect each other in this life. The U.S. Open I am talking about was in Chaska, MN in 1991. My dear friend Billy got two tickets from his father. His dad couldn't make it and thought Bill and his buddy Scott would enjoy seeing a U.S. Open so close to home. Can you believe the news was trying to slant the story to blame Billy's father for giving his son the tickets. The media makes me crazy at times. Oh wow, I just have to share this: I am sitting here waiting for my sister to meet me at a restaurant-Billy's favorite Grateful Dead song just came on. It's the song his family even played at his Catholic Funeral. Woe!!!! Goosebumps!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna~it taught me at the young age of 27 that life can be cut short at any time. I thank God for every day he blesses me with.
ReplyDeleteHi Bjorn-great to see you here today. I am feeling extra touched by visits today after the passing of Dave. It's a reminder that we get what we give on a daily basis. So here's saying: I love your poetry my online friend.
ReplyDeleteHi Nice~thanks for coming by today. This poem spewed out of me in about five minutes. It all came from the heart and soul. I still hurt thinking about that time of grief. OUCH!
ReplyDeleteSorry Nico-spelling error there. I guess nice is your new pen name. LOL
ReplyDeleteSuch a tragic loss... so young and so unexpected...very sad and how terrible for you the friends and family left behind. just very sad. Nicely penned.
ReplyDeleteSad and startling - and beautifully expressed.
ReplyDeleteThanks pandamoniumcat. It was a dark day in our young lives.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Rosemary. Startling is a good word for it. I appreciate your visit here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a devastating way to have one's loved one's life cut short. Tragic.
ReplyDeletep.s. I love your life story on the sidebar. Cool!
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to lose a friend this way. I'm a golfer and we've been told having a steel umbrella is dangerous! Lightning can strike anywhere though, can't really be sure! This is tragic, Linda! Sad!
ReplyDeleteHank
Hank
Hi Sherry-it was devastating :-(
ReplyDeleteSherry~Thanks for the sweet comment about my profile here.
ReplyDeleteHi Hank~I would freak out if a storm came up while I was golfing. I have heard that professional golfers have been hit before. Mother nature can be so scary at times. Thanks so much for coming by :-)
ReplyDeleteVery sad, just heard about it. Great, moving poem though.
ReplyDelete