Never stare at mortality,
not directly in the eyes,
unless you’re prepared,
to have your soul shattered,
because it comes for all of us,
in lightning fashion.
Death claims another,
with it’s metronome march;
I hear his laughter,
invading everything,
bordering all that I love,
in an unbreakable layer,
slowly restricting their life,
and suffocating another soul.
Role models and mentors,
dropping like meteors;
the stars that once shone bright,
burning through the atmosphere,
being buried in the earth.
The minerals left behind,
enrich our hearts and souls,
with titanium-plated strength,
and once the toxic shock fades,
we become a bit more metal;
harder and stronger,
and more ready to grieve,
as we lose more and more,
of the people and things we love,
until we walk through life,
with loud iron steps,
and are to be avoided at all costs,
by the true living.
All atrophied metal, and blood gone cold,
as we creak through life,
oxidizing bit by bit,
until we’re a cancerous mess,
ready to collapse,
in a heroic pose,
not caring whether they,
remember us or not.
Don’t become the deaths,
let them fuel you.
Let them pick you up from the dirt,
and wipe your tears away,
leaving warpaint behind,
as you stand up,
the phoenix risen,
ready to burn through life,
and all it’s toxic aftermath.
Become a phoenix my friend,
burning off the metals,
to make your flame beautiful,
and capable of awe,
not a pathetic person of iron.
Andy Veilleux 
You are so very gifted. Thought inspiring words.
My Dad considered your Dad his best friend. I probably met your father when I was younger however I don’t recall too well. Meeting him last week, I could see why they got along so well. He’s a strong, silent type with a big heart…just as my Dad was.
Thank you for these expressions. Directly or indirectly they are touching and move me to find some understanding during a time that is so senseless to me right now.
Thank you for the kind words, I am happy to hear my writing is inspirational to you in this trying time. My father was definitely similar to your father, and I have a great amount of respect and love for him. I wish I could offer you words of advice 😦
There’s nothing you need to offer. I am just amazed that out of the vast space that is the ‘interweb’ I stumbled across this. I am grateful that you are so expressive and that you knew my Dad.
If ever you find any pictures, whether from the Island or anywhere else, I’d love to have copies. Feel free to message me on Facebook or through email with them.
I know there are a lot of pictures at the Camp, I don’t have personal copies sadly, but I can try to get some.
”Become a phoenix my friend,
burning off the metals,
to make your flame beautiful,
and capable of awe,
not a pathetic person of iron.” – it’s so strong and very good conclusion for this piece. I Love it.