the sun is behind the clouds can it rain for a lifetime? a gray-black morass hangs over all this damocles sword denying all of happiness who reside amongst this, constant apprehension this novel storm that rages cuts all to the quick while remaining an affirmation of life despite the suffering
life&death
The Great Leveller
all paths eventually arrive at the same destination whatever one’s station be it the cross or another unity at the end playing fields are levelled for in death all are equal paths of glory or despair all lead to death none can transcend or escape the level playing field
© 2020 Michael D Emmerich
© 2020 mikesnexus.com
Medic’s Epitaph
looking back, I gaze at a red and broken past around my feet lies the present an uncertain yet clear future lies before surrounded by pain time spent with the dead and dying understanding death at times comes easier than conversing with the living contemplation brings a deeper appreciation of life all I want my epitaph to be is not confusion, but ….. “just trying to leave someone alive”
© 2019 michael d emmerich
© 2019 mikesnexus.com
Life Matters
“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
Ambulance Today – Winter Edition 2018
The Winter Edition for 2018, has hit the shelves, its live now on Ambulance Today. Click on the link below to download and read the magazine and my article on page 65.
From the Africa Desk of Ambulance Today: I’m dreaming of a happy Christmas
Ambulance Today Winter Ed 2018 .pdf
This magazines focus is on South America but even more importantly it is a memorial issue – sadly our Executive Editor and man behind Ambulance Today Declan Heneghan sadly passed away on the 28th of November.
IN MEMORIAM: DECLAN BRYAN DOMINIC HENEGHAN
(1965-2018)
There is so much to say about this edition and Declan, as he is Ambulance Today… read the messages of remembrance form across the globe … he will be sadly missed .
The article on Burnout: A silent threat in the prehospital care service (page 37) is close to my heart.
“A fascinating analysis as to the contributing factors is offered. The more aware we are of the nature of our obstacles, the better equipped we are to either navigate or avoid them!”
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!
Trauma
as the blood dries beneath my nails as the metallic smell lingers in the air as my boots slip on the shit stained floor as I wipe the vomit from my shirt front removing blood-stained glasses ripping of blue blood gloves gazing across at what lies before not a beep can be heard lights fade to gray ashen faces stare back and the memory remains
© 2018 michael d emmerich
© 2018 mikesnexus.com
Subterranean Lullaby
pitter patter of tiny feet rat-a-tat of bullets ripping sheets orange spears of flickering candles casting opaque shadows on strips of flannel digging deeper, ripping up the dirt slowly covering holes in the shirt the man in the long black coat stands unsteadily at the edge of the moat doing his best not to gloat as the sand, cascades down all around the sacrificial goat as its ripped bleeding throat drains over the distended belly, as it bloats swallowed up consumed by this world in the belly of the beast all curled buried in the grave, six feet under as the veil is rent asunder silver coins glinting on the eyes, all bright weeping silver teardrops, in the watery moonlight
© 2018 Michael D Emmerich
In Memoriam
My father would have been 84 today, sadly he passed away 5 years ago. I still miss him, and have been thinking about him a lot of late. The loss of a parent who was dearly loved leaves a pain that always lingers. I wrote this poem 2 years ago in 2016, and the absence is still there …
fathers are refuge from the storms of life when that safe port passes on when the lighthouse fades all that is left are the memories memories never fade they are never forgotten or passed over they remain memories shine through the mists of time even when the lights fade and no one lives there they remain constant, eternal not ethereal these remain, never forgotten what was once real is now no longer the reminders of your love do not fade they remain through the years we walked different paths they diverged and merged over the years at the end they had become one constant reminders of our togetherness unconditional love learnt remains
© 2016 michael d emmerich
Cogito Ergo Sum – in 3 parts
I wrote this poem in Nov 2016 as 3 separate poems, but they are meant to be read as one. Here it is re-edited and posted in its entirety. The poem emerges from the cocoon of my reading and musings of TS Elliot, Dante, Descartes and some Arthur Conan Doyle.
1.
when you down who lifts you up
when you are lost who finds you
when you fall, is it from grace
if so, whose grace
who is lost with you
who binds the wounds
whom do you discover, when you are down
yourself or another
what awaits over the horizon
what lies beneath the wounds
what lifts you up
come on rise up
we rise by lifting others up
we discover ourselves when lost
we need not be alone
come on, stand together
every breath is a doorway
to heaven or hell
so just breath
and rise up
2.
as you await at
breaths doorway
just breathe
and see what awaits
as you pause to exhale
by not breathing
we are forced to choose
heaven or hell
but let not fear inspire
either mortality or immortality
let Virgil be your guide
through the mythical dark wood
of spiritual values
that at times
perverts' human intellect
the pilgrims journey
demands questions be answered
within the dark forest
on a crooked path
the meaningful can become meaningless
as we journey on a quest
into the unlit darkness
3.
we are on a journey
on a quest
into the darkened heart
of life, doubts and dreams
that search for proof of life
strength in life, rests on doubt
accept that which you know to be true
are dream states virtual reality
is life one constant dream
what is real?
let knowledge be your secure foundation
not the imagination thereof
but the doubt thereof
let doubt be your proof of life
doubt creates sanity
life is stronger than anything the mind can invent
what is real are our thoughts
doubt your senses
doubt your existence
rise up and claim your reality
think,
therefore, you live
© 2018 michael d emmerich
Mist of War
red mist glazes over it’s to dark to see the eyes glaze over into that 1000 yard stare darkness draws nigh the veil is torn the pathway opens yes, I have seen the world but not sure which darkness draws nigh I am coming not one second to soon as the tragedy of history repeats itself
© 2017 michael d emmerich
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