Never say goodbye!

Please don't drink and drive! Let's keep each other safe and alive!

My son never fought in a war

upon a foriegn shore

Though he would have

had it been his calling

He enlisted into the service

at the young age of seventeen

he became a United States Marine

He was stationed in Okinawa Japan

There he learned to become a man

With a humanitarian discharge in hand

He returned home to help his family

which was in dire need of him

from the land of the red sun

To three young sisters and a mother ill

with manic depression

With his father just out prison

for making a bad decision

of dealing drugs

running with thugs

His son still looked up to him

forgiving him his sins

His parents were soon to be divorced

but dad came down with staff infection

from his terrible heroin addiction

Mom ended up in a hospital psychiatric unit

for her bi-polar affliction

Soon his father slowly and painfully died

He stood strong by his father's side

as staff infection from a dirty needle

consumed his every vital organ

His heart, his liver, his spleen...

Near the end he softly spoke the words

"I love you, dad."

Mom fell victim to alchohol

trying to drown her memories

of a violent marriage and mental illness

that had brought her to her knees

Taking care of three young sister's

was very hard accomplishment

for a young man of twenty-one

upon returning home

from the land of the red sun

 

Robert Stephen Krempa was born 7/31/73

Sadly and tragicly he was killed by a drunk driver 4/15/07

 

 He is credited for saving the life of a little four-year old boy

named Xavier.  It was a beautiful spring evening, just a year ago

my son had just gotten off of work. He had just become a manager of his company, his box of manuals not yet opened. Ironically, he was on his way with friends to buy a car and get his driver's license renewed. It

was a head on collision, as the car he was riding in as a passenger in the back seat, was hit while waiting for a red light. When out of nowhere came the oncoming car crashing into them, Leaving my son and his friends wife to die in puddles of their own blood. The car caught fire, thank God the fireman were able to put it out in time. When I went to the young mother's funeral, I

 was thanked for being the mother of a hero. For they say that

my son ripped off his seatbelt, and blocked little Xavier with his own body, so saving the young boy from ultimate death. Months later Xavier's father who was also critically injured as was his son, thanked me also and told me that my son is his hero, too. Xavier had been scalped to where the doctor's had to sew his scalp back to his head, he will always have the scar as a memory of what occurred that day. Worst of all, he has nightmares of the accident and the loss of his loving mother. He has trouble walking due to injuries to his spine.  The drunk driver was finally sentenced, he got ten years in prison for his crime. My son and his friend had their lives taken away in the prime of their lives because of someone else's foolishness and disregard for human life. They were both sober lovingly gentle people and are sadly missed by family and friends. The small poem I wrote for the obituary. I would like to share with you it reads as follows:              

 

The world has lost

A wonderful young man

Who had the potential, the ability, the mind

And, the heart of a scholar, a teacher, a philosopher

and an author

I lost my son

Love forever and always, Mom

 

Reviews

[WritefromtheHeart]

Dear debileah...
What words of solace can I give you, dear one? You have lived the tragedy that every mother dreads to think of...I cannot say anything except convey my true sorrow at your monumental loss. Your writing has to be of some small comfort...and you share it with us here so that we may give back to you some of the love in our hearts...many blessings to you, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Crystal Elisa]

this is not a poem that i can review in my regular fashion, as it's significance is in it's message and meaning and the emotional tension that it creates and so diction, tone, and all that tech stuff really just go outt he window. Ultimately it's a beautiful piece, and the words that you've chosen are the best because they are honest and yours...

beautiful write!
CE

[David Rosenfeld]

As a poem this works well with rhymes and rythmns. They work together singing in the ear so you can see the young man in spirit form if not in images. It is doubly powerful in that its author has adhered to artistic fidelity while at the same time outpouring a great personal tragedy. On the other hand, I have to take a second look at the "centered" lines. I find it distracting when a long line extends in both directions! A long line seems more comfortable when it extends far from left to right, rather than spreading from the middle. But that is no criticism of the text itself, the content, which is descriptive and sad, yet strong and in the end, affirming.

[*~Imperfectly Me~*]

Wow this is such a powerful piece it brought tears to my eyes and made my heart ache for you and everyone your son helped... This is a mothers worst nightmare i'm so sorry for your loss and my thoughts are with you... This is a great piece about your son, he truly is a hero.... thank you for sharing such a heartfelt piece!

[FireAngel42029]

your son is a true hero that was beautiful but tragic I am so sorry for you loss I was crying reading this but I know that Xavier's family will always remember him as the hero he is

[ElJays Nicholas]

I am at a loss for words. Only a hug can say what I feel for you. All I can say, if it is worth saying at all, is that Robert is an angel for you now, as he was on earth, and death is never the end. He is with you, and he knows how much you love him. I embrace you with the purest love. May his angelic presence in your heart give you the resilience and the sustenance you need. Bless you, dear lady!

[yinseriv]

Tributes take many forms such as these well written words or as a dedication to hold life dear and be the best person you can. Your sharing of this writing moves you forward while holding the honor of your son within your heart.

[Pj]

I stopped breathing...so real and raw that it hurts. I'm sorry for your loss and I weep for the world and you and your family, as we have all been robbed of a great man!

[M. Amphet Salt]

I am deeply sorry for you lose.

[Color Me Gone]

Debileah, there is nothing anyone can ever say or tell you to ease the loss you have gone through and will always carry with you. The pain of losing anybody you love is horrific, but I believe the loss of a child is one that would bring any mother to her knees. I dont know you. But I see through your words to a strong and loving woman who despite this near fatal wound, will survive. Write, write write your feelings. Let your anger, your sorrows your joys and dreams out my friend. And be cradled in the comfort of those who understand your pain and who will stand with you when you are hurting~

Alicia

[Nely Amorim]

As I read this heartfelt poem my tears poured out to you in your grief. There are no words of comfort I can offer for your loss. Your son sounded a truly inspiring and dedicated world citizen. Your words do him justice. I pray he is in a better place now. thank you for sharing your words of loss and I hope it helps to ease your grief. :(