After his birthday strange news we heard. <br />Fragments of data - borderline absurd. <br />It couldn't be him. No! Not our Steve! <br />Unfolding events too surreal to believe. <br /> <br />Taking a shortcut? Did his car break down? <br />Not his backyard tracks, but across town? <br />How can this happen? None of us could see. <br />Steve? Hit by a train? How on earth can this be? <br /> <br />People at work by the dozens they cried. <br />Reporters got it wrong! The media - it lied. <br />So many countless tears did at once flow. <br />Who was this man everyone loved so? <br /> <br />Very active was Steve in church and community. <br />A true family man, with wife and daughters three. <br />Strong ties to his uncle, a priest..his sister a nun. <br />He was an awesome volleyball coach just for fun. <br /> <br />On the job, he knew the systems… all ins and outs. <br />His insights, guidance, and leadership left no doubts. <br />In meetings and on projects, his concerns were heard. <br />A supportive jovial man, with always a kind word. <br /> <br />I marveled that secret power over people which he met. <br />Everyone knew his smile and laugh - not easy to forget. <br />Everyone he met was another friend he made. <br />How can his wisdom and kindness be repaid? <br /> <br />Two huge parking lots the solemn cars did overfill. <br />Viewing line encircled in the outside winter's chill. <br />Hundreds people came from many miles around. <br />They praised, mourned, and sobbed a soft sound. <br /> <br />In days that followed, good memories were shared. <br />His wonderful stories were retold and compared. <br />He is remembered. All knew him well in the end. <br />Well… Here is to Steve Brookes, a man we call friend. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />* Stephen A. Brookes was my supervisor for just a few short weeks. He died 4 January 2006. The coroner rulled it a suicide... None of us could ever figure out why.<br /><br />Zen Bojczuk<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/strange-news/
