A Safety Poem

[BIGUN 1,490]

"I Looked The Other Way"
By Don Merrrell

I could have saved a life that day,
But, I chose to look the other way,
It wasn't that I didn't care,
I had the time and I was there,
But, I didn't want to seem a fool,
Or argue over a safety rule.

I knew he'd done the job before,
If I called it wrong, he might be sore
The chances didn't seem that bad,
I've done the same... he knew I had
So I shook my head and walked on by,
He knew the risks as well as I
He took a chance, I closed an eye,
And with that act, I let him die.

I should have saved a life that day,
But, I chose to look the other way
Now every time I see his wife,
I know I should have saved his life
That guilt is something I must bear,
But, isn't something you want to share.

If you see a risk that others take,
That puts their health or life at stake
The question asked, or the thing you say,
Could help them live another day
If you see a risk and walk away,
Then I hope you never have to say,
"I could have saved a life that day,
But, I chose to look the other way."

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[chuckakers 426]

"I Could Have Stayed Home That Day"

by Truman Sparks


I could have stayed home that day
But I boarded the plane anyway
It wasn’t that I didn’t care
But man I needed high-speed air
I didn’t want to seem a tool
So I wore tie-dye cuz its really cool

I knew he’d jumped that rig before
The openings always make him sore
The seatbelt wouldn’t work too well
So I left it off and said oh hell
I flipped off the whuffos as we taxied by
and farted once as we reached the sky

I should have missed the clouds that day
But I was looking for a hole to play
The FAA is like a ground-bound wife
Always jacking up your jumping life
The guilt is something I must bare
But in the end I dont really care

If you see a dock that others take
That puts their “A” team rep at stake
Be sure to tell them “yo dude, hey”
So they'll take the right slot another day
When you turn and burn and track away
At least you’re now outside the fray
Once on the ground be sure to say
Safety poems sure are gay

Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

[MikeJD 0]

Planes Won't Wait
by MikeJD

I thought I'd learned my lesson well.
At two-point-five I was scared as hell.
By fifteen hundred and still in twists,
My handles gripped in white-knuckled fists
I thought I heard the angels sing,
'You really should have repacked that thing.'

But life is short and planes won't wait
(I tell myself as I face my fate).

At a thousand feet and still no chop
With nowhere to go
But a sudden stop,
I really thought I'd die from fright
But pulled that pad with all my might...

And lo! My three rings became one.
My mal'd Diablo was upped and gone.
My RSL then did its stuff,
Which was just as well since I'd had enough.
I reached the ground with nothing breaking
Though couldn't stand 'til my legs stopped shaking.

But that was several hours ago.
I'm in the bar, I'm in full flow.
'Oh sorry, Death, but not today,
No, not with my mad drillz in play.
And Jesus, there I was, no shit
But d'you see how well I dealt with it?'
The tale gets taller with the telling.
There was no fear, no frantic yelling,
Just a save for me to savour.
With each new beer I was that bit braver.

And then, despite my addled wits
I recall my gear is still in bits.
The weekend's only halfway through
And I have many jumps to do.
I'll ask my rigger, be super slick,
Just make it work and make it quick.
Your safety checks and stuff are great
But life is short and planes won't wait.

[BIGUN 1,490]

Outstanding!

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[airtwardo 7]

Brilliant!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[MikeJD 0]

Thanks, chaps. It came to me quite fast - the Don Merrrell poem that BIGUN posted was effective but a bit sombre for me. I'd never heard of Merrell until I looked him up - I'd assumed that was a skydiving poem, but I see he was writing generic safety stuff. Funny how easily you can apply it. I notice he even has one called 'Exit Door'!

I'm fascinated by the old skydiving songs and poems, and by the 'old timers' who can recite them word for word. It's great bonfire entertainment but seems like a dying art.

[airtwardo 7]

...and by the 'old timers' who can recite them word for word. It's great bonfire entertainment but seems like a dying art.

Then you should see BIGUN do an SCR ceremony!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[BIGUN 1,490]

Quote

but I see he was writing generic safety stuff.

You are correct. Mr. Merrell's poem was handed out by our VP of HR/Safety. When I read it; I thought if you changed "job" to "skydiving," it fits and I started to do that, but just thought that if I'm quoting someone else's work, I should leave it alone.

Somber - yes.
Given enough time; you'll reflect back on that poem.

Thanks, Jim... just passing on what the "elders" taught me.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.