Author: mikesnexus

A Day (Life) of Remembrance

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In this month of November, and the 11th just passed, when we remember the fallen, lets give pause for thought, to the boys forced to become men before their time …. where we as a society discard our best and brightest to senseless conflicts. The hopes and disappointments of generations of young (mostly) men/boys are always dashed at the altar of political expedience and greed.

The article contains many of the poems that I have written about War …and its impact on my life, when I was forced to serve ….

Read and remember ….

mikesnexus

“Nonintervention does not mean that nothing happens.

It means that something else happens.”
Christopher Hitchens

On this day when we remember the fallen, lets gave pause for thought, to the boys forced to become men, to become killers. In silent contemplation, I at times shout out to my silence; why do we discard our best and brightest to senseless conflicts. The hopes and disappointments of generations of young (mostly) men/boys are always dashed at the altar of political expedience and greed. Young men fighting old men’s wars. The First World War poets have always stuck a deep chord on my soul and I reread the poems and contemplate deeply on the what, why, how and the loss. The poetry of Owen, Rosenberg, Blunden, Gurney and Sassoon are those that I turn to when I need to pause and think, why is this world so fucked up?

Consequently, I have put…

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The Coming Storm

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a poem of reflection …..

under the influence of life

all things merge into one

forming a single perfect storm

motionless I lay on the turgidity

can approaching silence be so quiet?



waiting in hope, in time and silence

a single menacing mass approaches

gray clouds merging into

a single menacing black mass

waiting and listening in the silence



what defines you now

is how you deal with this tempest

afterward, do you lie basking in the sunlight

or broken, bruised on the rocks

for in that silence you will be defined
© 2019 michael d emmerich
© 2019 mikesnexus.com

Ambulance Today – Autumn Edition 2019

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The Autumn Edition for 2019, has hit the shelves, it’s live now on Ambulance Today.

This edition is focused upon technology and education. In so far as technology goes, we take a look at some of the newest innovations currently being introduced to EMS. Specifically here, I would like to mention WoundClot, which is rightly being lauded as one of the most significant life saving advancements in emergency trauma care.

As Editor Joe says: “We hope that you have as much fun delving into this issue as we had in creating it, and that you come away as enriched from the thought-provoking articles inside as we have been in researching and overseeing them.”

Click on the link below to download and read the entire magazine (you’re welcome) and of course my article on page 34 & 35

From the Africa Desk of Ambulance Today: The Challenge of Critical Thinking in EMS

Ambulance Today Autumn 2019

To all the followers of this page, if you want to see an article written about any specific aspect of Emergency Care on the African continent, or get me to interview a key role player, drop me a mail. Equally, if you have any news items you would like us to run either in our magazine or on our daily-updated global ambulance news website please make contact.

For the readers from Africa, if you wish to advertise or have a free advertorial written up in the magazine, make contact and lets see how I can assist …

To my fellow passionate EMS friends across the world, I trust you are enjoying this journey, as we continue to explore this fascinating continent. Till then be safe out there and stay passionate – Enjoy!

Ambulance Today Autumn 2019 cover

Gritty Pathways

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a forest of thoughts

with pathways of grit

bordered by the ageless

unbending, yet

graceful willow trees

waving me on effortlessly

with the wind of yesteryear



I traverse the pathways

crushing fear underfoot

grittily determined to endure

with grace as my companion

and pockets full of pebbles

slowly being ground

into the gritty sands of time
© 2019 michael d emmerich

Life Matters

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“Our interest in death and illness is nothing but a way of expressing an interest in life” Thomas Mann – my poem below is written from a medical perspective – every life matters and has value

air goes in and out

blood goes round and round

that says the medic

keeps you alive



in sickness and death

illness and injury

not all goes as it should

this is well noted



blood and guts

sickness and death

that last …..

potential breath

affirms our quest



intimacy with death

fuels our passion

in life in its abundance

ours

and yours …

the next patient?
© 2017 / 2019 michael d emmerich

life matters

Chasing the Gray

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Another year around the sun rolls by … another year opens up .. my life continues … what does the next year hold? All I know is that I keep chasing, moving forward .. skirting the gray .. pushing towards hope as I skirt the shadows …

mikesnexus

My 55th birthday poem, a present to myself …. you decide if it is inspiring or depressing ….♥

closer to the edge

day by day

I skirt the sepia

my darkness

my solitude



I’ll lock the door

block the door

maybe step outside

and change the world



welcome to my world

my inner eternal battles

where even blood is gray

when coagulated by time



hope pushes out fear

pain and despair

is it all in vain

as I chase the gray
© 2017 michael d emmerich

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Ambulance Today – Summer Edition 2019

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The Summer Edition for 2019, has hit the shelves, it’s live now on Ambulance Today. The theme for this quarter is Mental Health and there are interesting articles throughout the magazine dealing with this very real and pertinent issue in EMS. Click on the link below to download and read the magazine and also my article on page 34.

From the Africa Desk of Ambulance Today:
Compassion Fatigue vs Compassion Satisfaction

Ambulance Today Summer 2019

To all the followers of this page, if you want to see an article written about any specific aspect of Emergency Care on the African continent, or get me to interview a key role player, drop me a mail. Equally, if you have any news items you would like us to run either in our magazine or on our daily-updated global ambulance news website please make contact.

To my fellow passionate EMS friends across the world, I trust you are enjoying this journey, as we continue to explore this fascinating continent. Till then be safe out there and stay passionate – Enjoy!

Ambulance Today summer 2019 cover.jpg

Distance

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the crumpled boarding pass

fell out my pocket 

as I fumbled for my keys

time away from home

makes the heart more distant



taking care of self

whilst away

causes pain to those close

distance damages

doesn’t always heal



departing the breach

leaves a gap

that could be filled

by another

or just left empty



love and affection

forgotten, lost in time

through one’s travels

this void left

….

empty, vacant and alone
© 2019 michael d emmerich
© 2019 mikesnexus

My Top 10 Bob Dylan Songs

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In honour of Bob’s 78th birthday.. A post of my top 10 Dylan songs.. Been listening to all his albums on random today 😁.. His music, lyrics and genius continues to permeate my thoughts and inspire my writing. Thanks Bob.. Keep going.. May your Neverending tour keep rolling..

mikesnexus

I have set myself an impossible task – choosing my 10 best Dylan songs – I still feel guilty for the 100 or so I have left off the list 🙂  They are in no particular order, as that would be nigh on impossible! My favourite album happens to be Nashville Skyline or is it Modern Times, or wait maybe Tempest, but wait there’s also Another Side of  …. so I have omitted songs from Nashville Skyline from this list. The songs that do not have a specific reference or reason are just here coz, they mean so many things to me… in so many situations. I have used many of these songs for inspiration, solace or just contemplation. Those who follow my poetry might pick up some hints of Dylan and others in my writings … 🙂

In alphabetical order:

Girl From the North Country – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan…

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My Top 10 Bob Dylan Love Songs

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Would love to hear from the other Dylan fans out there, of your fav Dylan Love Songs … enjoy .. 🙂

mikesnexus

My next nigh on impossible task (thanks to my Dylan twitter friends), is to select my best Bob Dylan love songs. As an introduction, let me say that Together Through Life (April 2009), in my humble opinion is his most romantic album. It also depends on which reviews you read, as many of the songs are open to diverse interpretations (but that is the way Bob rolls). The entire album is bluesy jaunt as he surveys the world and country, as he slowly  drives by; never giving up on love, even if it is a shared misery.

He croaks his way through sadness, disappointment and exhaustion, “with the blood of the land in his voice”. Its an unforced, emotionally strong album coming off the back of his renaissance trilogy of albums (Time Out Of Mind, Love And Theft and Modern Times). In his own words, from the album:…

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