Poetry and Letters

Poems inspired during our
divers with disabilities trips

Bonaire 2011

I can’t believe it’s time again
Bonaire Island here we come
To dive your sparkling waters
And enjoy your shinning sun

Here we are in Houston
The planes are running late
We tried to eat and rest a while
But anxiety was our fate

“Stiff-neck-ian” Scott has disappeared
Seeking treatment for his pain
While Carol, in her flaming glasses
Appeared to go insane!

Louise, she had a flashing toy
And put it down her pants!
People screamed and pointed
Louise continued to dance!

On the concourse, dancing round
Were tiny panda feet
And LOVING shoes, as we girls do,
We all thought they were neat!

Professor Disarray
Had no idea that he was so cool
He walked around, clutching mom
And then began to drool

Finally, we’re on the plane
Some rested some were bored
But mostly people drifted off
Some people even snored!

Upon awakening -there we saw
The Flamingo Air – 0 – port
From there it’s hardly a stone’s throw
To the Famous Plaza Resort

There are a LOT of us this year
To dive, support, and enjoy
Friends, Family and Confidants
And the hearts of 2 little boys

So many new friends are here
Doing their own thing
Sharon swims laps in the ocean
Carol tries to sing

Give me a Tag!  Give me a Tag!
I’m going to dive the Park!
I’ll dive it in the mornings
And I’ll dive it after dark.

Pat and Mike are hiding
Wearing hats to shield their face
Cindy and Jack are in the ocean
More than ANY other place!

Griff is hanging with Will
They’re sophisticated and so nice
Some people just don’t recognize
Those people should just look twice

The Steiner Clan is back
To dive and see the town
They smile and chat with everyone
They’re fun to have around!

Heather is distressed
She’s going to lose her home
She’s focused now on diving
But soon she’ll have to roam

Chad is here from Florida
His wife, Julie, joined him too
Three years to go in the sunshine state
Then back  to Denver – Woo Hoo!

Diana was delightful
Friendly in every way
But when Stephen was off diving . . . .
Diana said, “No Way!”

Later in the week
As Diana became brave and strong
She took a blowing bubbles class
And – then she came along!!! – Yea Diana!!

50 is a terrific number
When diving  in the sea
Terrific for Dave, and Corky, and  Wayne,
Amanda, Steve, Barb, and Gary.

“JaVol,” cried George – everyday
as we were set to dive
With stories of grandma and former lovers
the dive sites came alive!

“What’s that up there?” I say
2 Flamingos flying by
in perfect bird formation
silhouetted on a perfect sky!

Greg – I think you’re burning!
Your face and cheeks are pink!
“It can’t be! I’ve used sunblock!”
“It doesn’t work . . . I think!”

Scott – you’re such a HERO!
Playing football with the kid
But smashing him with the ball
Oh yea! It must have slid!

It’s ok – It’s ok
Jen’s got him in a hug
He loves to play rough with the boys
But mom can hold him snug!

Lynn? What’s this?  You’re changing boats?
Don’t love us anymore?
So now Louise has access to Scott
She wants to even the score!

I don’t know what their feud is?
They play and laugh a lot.
It’s fun to watch and participate
in such a sunny spot!

Jon Michelle Cousteau in a suit
Of bright and shiny grey
We spoke in French and laughed a lot
Making jokes ‘bout him all day

Louise, she is my daughter
Had her when I was six
Not sure how that happened?????
Housekeeping is playing tricks!

The Eppings are our new friends
The Fullers – they’re cool too!
We’ve got their e-mails and their hearts
We’re bound to them like glue!

Oscar – this is his first trip
He’s timid of us all
I think he thinks we’re crazy
But we just have a ball!

Wreck diving at the Hooker
Sunken by the shore
Some of us ran out of air
Others came back for more

Corky laughs and we all smile!
It’s hard to look away!
Wayne, her brother or husband
Likes her just that way!

Shannan, the Adventure Diver,
Hanging with Louise
Working on the “Boat” and “Night” dives
And working on P.P.B.’s

Julie’s just enjoying the trip
Relaxing and loving the rest
Let the “Boys” lift this and that
No sense being distressed

Now we’re out to dinner
The whole crowd is around!
Poor Jud’s head almost got swallowed
By the Biggest Mahi Mahi in town!

Wendy’s scarred with bug bites
They’re eating her alive
Jeff’s ready to dive again
In the water – he does thrive!

Rita needs to use it
I’m not kidding . . .  . NOW!
Jeff’s already in the water
Figure it out somehow.

Gary is swimming effortlessly
His diving is divine
But Christian got a little worried
People throwing his dad overboard all the time

Bruce was quiet and so nice
Just on the other boat
I’d like to know him better
But our locations were remote

Thank you Lynn and Scott
A good time was had by all
Even Dave’s mom, Linda,
Smiled through it all

And still we’re all chit-chatting
About the next time . . . . . WHEN
For a week in summer
We’ll do it all again!

Love ya all!
Julie

Divers with Disabilities Trip
Summer 2009

Good Morning, Good Morning
this is the day
We leave on Vacation!
Oh, by the way. . . .

Your flight has been cancelled,
You’re flying Frontier
It’ll be $100 bucks
for the luggage dear!

McDonalds in Dallas
A thrill and a treat
Burgers & Fries
and 100 degree heat!

Up in the air
watching “Hotel for Dogs”
Talking up fishes
and our dive logs

At the hotel
with all sorts of wheels
Rita’s the one
making all kinds of deals.

Our rooms are o.k.
No, really they’re fine
I’ve been disappointed before
but not this time!

Carlo’s and Charlie’s
was the dinnertime pick
Drinks by the yard
as tall as a stick

Back to bed
everyone is so tired
But we’ve got to be ready
for the dive boat we’ve hired.

A morning in wet suits
1st breakfast and go
Let’s find our right boat
Oh, how will we know

Larry’s equipment
has gone off and got lost
He is left with swim trunks
and dental floss!

Harnesses on?
There’re bubbles to make
Sea  horses to see
for goodness sake!

We’re back in dock
By 1:45
The ocean is “healing”
The divers all thrive!

Peg’s ear is bleeding
We’re shocked and distressed
Will she be o.k?
If it has time to heal and rest?

Jud wants cigars
to share with Scott
What can I say,
it’s better than Pot!

Maryanne & Shannan
got caught in the rain
Coming down cats & dogs
The scene was insane.

Off to Jeanies
and breakfast for dinner
Not too noisy
and the view is a winner!
Monday is Victoria’s
Birthday eve!
Wonder what mom’s
got up her sleeve

Birthday is here!
We’re out on the boat
We’ve spotted an eel!
It belongs in a moat!

A lion fish growled.
He’s not suppose to be here
The diver masters caught him!
We let out a cheer!

Shannan’s diving with Carol
Took the whole afternoon.
Jack & Cindy were gone too
We thought it spelled doom.

The cake fight was crazy
Everyone fought back
You wouldn’t believe
what got in Lynn’s crack!

We ate at Jimmy Buffett’s place
Sunset on the pier
We want lots of beverages
Bring them all right here!

Mi casa es su casa
So the saying goes
But with 14 for dinner
Who really knows?

The evening didn’t work
Victoria’s b-day a flop
Still they went to the HardRock
For balloons and pop!

Pam and Todd don’t dive
They leave that to Greg
They snorkel and golf,
least that’s what they said.

They look pretty happy
when I see them go by
I know that they’re up to
by the twinkle in their eye!

What to say about Dave,
he’s a positive guy!
Everyone likes him . . .
independent and sly.

Scott spins yarns
while riding on the boat
Graduated in ‘70
he begins to gloat!

My hair is a disaster
I wrapped it in a doo
Everybody has one
Jack and Carol too

I put the doo upon my head
I thought it looked just fine
My daughter turned bright red
saying, better yours than mine!

Kneeling on an octopus
Crashing on a fan
Regulating BCD’s
And working on our tans.

The hotel hosted weddings
The brides and grooms a-glow!
Then B.A.’s hung overboard
Who’s we just don’t know! . . . STACY!

Eating volcano nachos
Flying to the whales
Calling for a special van
And scoping out the sales

Posing for a photo
Everyone – look this way!
Show the O.K. sign
Don’t fall in the bay!

Thanks for the adventure
I do mean grassy ass
It’s been a thrill a minute
The memories will last

I’ll live without Carol’s singing
I think I’ll be just fine
If it becomes a problem
I can visit my shrink any time.

Pray tell me - what is that smell
What an annoying surprise!
Can’t we get “Sink the Stink”
In gallon size!!

Shannan’s all about visiting
Talking to folks all day!
Her parents are thankful
At night she has nothing to say!
Larry’s wheels are broken
Time for something new
I’m thinking a Ferrari
Would look good on you!

Victoria’s a hoot!
Her make-ups lookin HOT!
She showered in a mask
To keep the look she’s got!

There’s a scorpion in the hallway!
What do we have to do?
There’re iguanas on back fence
And huge mosquitoes too!

It’s a crazy place to visit
Exotic, wild and free
The perfect place to dive with friends
And see what we can see!

Friday was our day off
A chance to just chillax
A time to shop and eat and sun
A time to just relax

Tomorrow we’ll be packing
And have to say Good-bye
I’m pretty sad to have to go
I hope that I don’t cry

by Julie Allen

Divers with Disabilities Trip
Summer 2010

It was late – on Thursday night
When Lynn e-mailed to say,
“Our son . . . his girlfriend is quite ill . .
Scott and I can’t come and play.

And so begins our adventure,
So different from last year,
We wondered – “Hey, who’s in charge now?”
When Louise said, “I’m right here!!”

We headed into big fat lines
met new friends and said, “hello!”
Tied pink ribbons to our bags . .
so everybody’d  know.

Hotel Cozumel remembered us
we all checked in with ease.
Louise & Carol called a meeting,
4:30 by the pool, please.

Jimmy Buffett’s for dinner
First 5, then 10 then MORE,
The waiter was so flustered
he ‘bout fell on the floor!

Good Morning to you Apple
To you Alfonzo too!
We’re back again this year
to dive our dives with you!

We split the boats
arranged the gear,
flashed a B.A.
and we’re outa here!

Dive and dive
explore the fish
admire the coral
as nice as you wish.
We rose up to the surface,
NO BOAT Around!!
“Go Tango!  MARCO Tango!”
Bring that boat ‘round!

Daffy . . plant dive flags
On everybody’s nail.
We’ll flash them round the whole resort,
then we’ll go set sail.

Daffy’s got one,
Al does too!
Randy’s sporting one
like a new tattoo!

Dinner that night at Jeannie’s
It’s taking OH so long!
We want entertainment!
Calamari & a song

Griff is in the hospital
Scott said he don’t care
Says Griff wouldn’t have this mess
if his head wasn’t filled with air!!

Greg’s freaked out
cause Griff’s in the box
Louise wants to go diving. . .
Now that just rocks!

Frank? Where’s your regulator?
You say it’s on the bed?
Carol wants to know
exactly where’s your head?

Cindy’s much too light
Becky’s grounding out.
They think we had just too much help,
and the weights got switched about..

Erika’s mask went missing
A lion fish was caught.
Stacie, Rita, and Louise
were baring things they ought   …… NOT!      

Sun screen for your shoulders?
Magic drops for your ear?
Did you need a Clariton?
I’ve got some for you here.

Ian just got certified,
he just came down to play.
Though it seems he’d be happier
with the pool and the girls all day!

Victoria has tons of suits,
every color, shape and size.
There meant to make a statement
and to catch they young men’s eyes!

Dave is tossing water
on an unsuspecting crowd
He says, “They never suspect the quad!”
Then he laughs out loud!

Bob’s got all the pirate looks
Brenda’s by his side.
They’re quite a pair; tough and sweet,
diving side by side.

Heather came from Texas,
adventure is what she seeks,
She’ll turn into a freckle
by the end of our diving week!

Jud got a little crazy,
and pulled on Stacie’s suit.
But she got EVEN the next day,
and everyone saw Jud’s boot (ie)!

We were down in the ocean
The fish, they didn’t mind.
The current was swift, but still we saw
The Congrats Grad sign!

Watermelon fights on Atlantis,
A lobster – 4 feet Long!
People singing something????
They said it was a song???

The people on our boat all yelled,
“What’s that over there?
A Lion Fish? A Monster”
“Oh no, it’s Julie’s hair!”

Rita, Louise  & Shannan
had an ocean “pee war”!
To see who might be able
to  come up with even MORE!

It was then that Rita said,
Or she thought, at any rate,
Scuba’s not an activity
You should do on a first date!

by Julie Allen