Monday, March 26, 2007
Charlie Shimek
When Charlie was diagnosed with colon cancer, plus metastasis to the liver, I wrote a poem about him.
“What is this,” he exploded, “my obit? I’m not dying!”
And indeed he wasn’t. After surgery and several rounds of chemo, the inoperable tumor on his liver began to disappear. His appetite returned; he began to gain back the weight he had lost; his yodel is improving. Now he is back to his old chipper self, taking his various wares to flea markets where he not only entertains folks but witnesses to his miraculous recovery. Soon he will be flying to Minnesota for a visit with relatives and friends.
Because of his Czech heritage, Charlie calls himself a “cancelled Czech”. Not yet, Charlie, not yet!
“What is this,” he exploded, “my obit? I’m not dying!”
And indeed he wasn’t. After surgery and several rounds of chemo, the inoperable tumor on his liver began to disappear. His appetite returned; he began to gain back the weight he had lost; his yodel is improving. Now he is back to his old chipper self, taking his various wares to flea markets where he not only entertains folks but witnesses to his miraculous recovery. Soon he will be flying to Minnesota for a visit with relatives and friends.
Because of his Czech heritage, Charlie calls himself a “cancelled Czech”. Not yet, Charlie, not yet!
Charlie Shimek
A lover of life is this wild mountain man,
distributing blessings wherever he can.
Proud Czech heritage shines bright in his eyes
that rival the blue in these desert skies.
From cold Minnesota he has traveled the globe,
the customs and language of natives to probe,
never meeting a stranger, as love he outpours
from a heart that's as big as all the outdoors.
For eleven years he sailed the seas
in US Navy dungarees,
and a patriot he'll always be
to keep this country proud and free.
He entertains all sorts of folks
with yodeling or corny jokes,
or whistles like a bird in song
to charm and captivate the throng.
In movies he lights up the screen,
a presence like you've never seen.
He's tough, yet gentle, kind and sweet.
In friendship he just can't be beat.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
A lover of life is this wild mountain man,
distributing blessings wherever he can.
Proud Czech heritage shines bright in his eyes
that rival the blue in these desert skies.
From cold Minnesota he has traveled the globe,
the customs and language of natives to probe,
never meeting a stranger, as love he outpours
from a heart that's as big as all the outdoors.
For eleven years he sailed the seas
in US Navy dungarees,
and a patriot he'll always be
to keep this country proud and free.
He entertains all sorts of folks
with yodeling or corny jokes,
or whistles like a bird in song
to charm and captivate the throng.
In movies he lights up the screen,
a presence like you've never seen.
He's tough, yet gentle, kind and sweet.
In friendship he just can't be beat.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
