Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Rev. Gary Ettlemyer and I became acquainted because we respectively served as quasi-caretakers for August W. Knispel and Gary and I became friends as a result. Gary's frequent, but occasional visits to August at an assisted living facility in Flemington, New Jersey, seemed almost always to coincide with my visits to August as well. The depth and extent of our conversations were always a joy; even when August would have a short "cat nap" during our conversations. As quasi-caretakers, my reference here is that Gary was August's spiritual caretaker, while I was August's attorney, attorney-in-fact and subsequently his Executor (but foremost an old friend). Now, I live in Idaho and have retired from my practice. I have fond memories of August, that include Gary in them. Gary learned about my poetry over those conversations and I recall sharing "But a Candle" to both August and Gary over our times together. Respectfully Submitted to Gary's loved ones, Robert McGeary:
But a Candle
[Poetnotumm /Copyright ©2021 RPMcGeary. All Rights Reserved.]
In human life, death is not one’s end.
It is but putting out a candle
As the Dawn is here.
All planet life is born to the seasons,
Measured thru cycles, lives grow;
Thru mornings, sunsets and starlights:
All rise, flourish then go;
But this soul in us t’is free of cycles:
The end of days no need we doubt
It’s the Dawn, awaken rested
To the wide, most wonderful you.
