A Vagrant Wind

My Grandfather had a boundless, inspirational creativity that was expressed through his gift of storytelling and poetic verse. He formed his own hardcover books, bound and sewn with intricate care and love. His books were teeming with wild war stories and reflective poems. Grandpa Dan made dozens, and I'm so fortunate to have one. Before going to Korea, I knew he'd probably pass on before I came back to the States, so I brought his book along with me to cherish.

I've been thinking about him constantly since he passed on a short while back, and here on my blog I'd like to share some of his poetry.

Prudent Poet

Never Expose your wit
Never brag about it
'Cause it stems from the past
Not the present.

Keep hushed your tongue
About what you have done
For, in silence, it remains
As a present.




Death...

To be a
Constant
Companion,
Entered life
Hand - in - hand
With me; a
Silent guide
To my every
Step toward
Its ultimate
Victory.




As a Leaf....

Cloistered in a curl,
Green and Pale,
Elixir, pulsed veins
With life burst full
Length and breadth to
Joys of warm air, and,
The light of heaven's stars
At night.

Drinking spring rain in
Warmth and light.
With evening dew as
Cool dense smothering shade
Discourage fireflies amid
The boughs, until the
Loving sun, guardian of earth's
Life, returns.

All nature awaits,
As a leaf,
To bloom glory full in
Its radiant smile; and
Sense the love in its
Arrival rustle a path amid
My kin.

By the steep angle in
The sky I know your
Attendance to my wants,
And, needs will cool;
Fading the green of life
Into brindled orange
and hues of frost's
Selective brush.

Now, nips the bite of
Your frosted glance
Severing my grip on
Earth's eternal bough;
As, I, slip away on a
Vagrant wind....to lie
Cool and crisp amid your
lingering fragrance.

D.W. Symancyk

My mother's father passed away last week. He was a wonderful, wise man, and memories of him will be cherished. Grandpa Symancyk will forever be missed. My prayers go out to all who knew and loved him.

Grub / Dog Eat Dog

I've been in Korean for about 2 months now, and in that short time I've eaten some peculiar foods. I thought I'd compile a little list here of the odd things I've consumed.

live, raw octopus (san nock gee)
dead, cooked octopus (nock gee)
octopus tentacles (moonoe)
dried squid
fermented sting ray
chicken feet
chicken anus (it tasted like chicken, only chewier)
silkworm larvae (never again...)
jellyfish
cow intestine
raw fish (not all that strange, I know)
snail soup

No, I haven't eaten man's best friend yet. I don't think I will, even though the dogs used for consumption are raised to be eaten in farms and not as pets in homes. But a dog is a dog, regardless of where it comes from.