Writings from the Past

I have written stories, poems and commentaries since my school days.
Thru out my life the inspirations to write have come and gone and come again.
I have written quite a bit in the last three years since my wife left.
As I say in parts of my blog often times great sadness brings about what is best in us.
These four writings are from 2005 and 2006, I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed being inspired to write them. This entire blog is dedicated to those talented unknowns whose skills the world may never know, but to His Greatness nothing is unnoticed.

Sunrise
As the sun rises on a new day
I wonder what their prayers had to say
As I awake from a sweet dream
Another’s nightmare I hear scream
As the darkness gives way to light
Daytime peace after a long nights fight
A solitary star so bright does shine
As others fade away in the blink of an eye
Give me the fresh sunrise
And dry these tears from my eyes.

Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time has already happened somewhere else.
Once upon a time has already happened a thousand times.
Once upon a time the rhyme doesn’t change.
Once upon a time will happen again and again.
Once upon a time has two possible endings,
Gods’ wrath to the Earth He’s sending...
Or Gods’ Love once again bending.
Once upon a time we will live or die.
Once upon a time either way we’ll cry.
Once upon a time somewhere up in the sky.

Life Goes On
As life goes on I realize serving man has no prize.
To be mans stepping stone hurts to my very soul.
I can not and never will be a servant for man to see.
I live for a Higher Glory, my soul given to the Holy Story.
Of the world He was not, sent here to cleanse the rot.
This I do believe and always will, even if hate comes to kill.
Take me away to our special place and travel thru the ages of space.
And take me away to Your seat, at the peak we will meet.
And then I’ll be Your servant, to fight and banish the evil serpent.
As before and as will be, the devil will be cast below the sea.
The world will then know, nothing can withstand Your Mighty Glow.
The Light that pierces deep inside will drown you out where you hide.
And for you I pray, my heart beaten, “Our Father Who Art In Heaven”
A drift in the wind a lonely feather, floating magically from the Heavens.
Resting on those who travel thru mans destruction and the Judges gavel.

© B.A.S. …:}…. 3/14/06 8:15AM EST

In his Majesties Service:

Psalm 48 Proverbs 3

Three or One

Like a cocoon turns to a caterpillar
As a caterpillar turns to a butterfly
All have the same origin
Each has a distinct place in time.

As the North Star is perceived
As one from Earths onlookers
It is actually a trinity
Three stars forming one.

As the solitary she bear seeks out her den
For a long winters rest once again
Her cubs arrive in the early spring
Three emerge where once there was one.

Not to trivialize His Greatness
By comparing to things visible
But to help show thru a comparison
One can relate too and understand.

© B.A.S. …:}…. 8/22/05 8:30 PM EST

In His Majesties Service:⛲️🌻🐝. 🙏🇺🇸

Paul’s Letter to the Colossians

   

     Post Edit & Pics 6/28/2023. 3PM EST 😎

The Wall

November 11th, 2008

Dear Fellow Veteran:  I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and send you a copy of a letter I sent to the local NFL football team (the Jaguars) head coach Mr. Jack Del Rio. I was very proud and flattered when coach Del Rio responded to my letter via a personalized and signed letter of thanks from him. The Veterans Wall here in Jacksonville is located on the Jaguars property. It is maintained by them and the city. It is located in a beautiful area of this town that has recently been renovated with stadium upgrades, new baseball grounds, new sports and concert arena, and a new city park on the river. The wall here contains all the names of the heroes from Duval County (Jacksonville) that gave their lives starting with WWI to the present terrorist campaign around the world. On one of my last visits to the Wall I noticed 13 more names added to the terrorist campaign area of the Wall. I was deeply saddened by this, and will forever be saddened by the waste of war. I know it is a necessary evil throughout history, but it saddens me even so. Your sacrifice and duty is much appreciated, and without your efforts we would not have a new ball field and park to enjoy. Please come home soon, and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Here’s the letter: God Bless You…

 To: Mr. Jack Del Rio , Jaguars Head Coach, Sir: Thank you and the Jaguar staff and security for putting up with my visits to the Veterans wall at the stadium site. I come to the wall at least once a week, sometimes more often. Sometimes it is during the day, but often it is in the wee hours of the night, or early morning. This is a sacred place to me, it is peaceful and uncluttered. I always, always clean up a bit, straighten out flowers left by others, etc. It is the least I can do in my own way, to honor those fallen serving our great country. I do not have any relatives or friends on the wall (that I am aware of) but I can tell you I have a deep kinship with the brothers and sisters who have served. The words inscribed in the granite blocks speak to me in ways I can not always describe. I cry, I laugh, I read a poem, I play my harmonica, I smoke a cigarette, and wonder why. 

I was in the Navy for several years, 25 or so years ago. I had the honor of serving on the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. I was attached to VF-14 (The Tophatters). It was one of two squadrons of F-14’s on the carrier. I felt like I was in a bit part on Star Wars. It was during a 1980 Mediterranean Cruise that I more fully developed my love for the ocean and its silent majesty. I feel this power at the wall. I feel the pain at the wall. I feel the heroes at the wall. I feel the sacrifices at the wall. I feel the honor at the wall. I feel the betrayal at the wall. And most of all I feel the horror of the wall. For after all what does it represent? It represents war, and the suffering that goes with it. I live for the day this suffering ends. I live for the day no more names are added to not only this wall, but all such monuments world wide. 

 So as I hope you understand sir, thank you again for allowing me to grieve, to honor, to pay respect to those whose only legacy left on this planet is their solitary name on a wall of heroes. When we all need a little reality check, go to the wall, and take a moment out of your life to pay homage to those who gave their life so you might enjoy a moment, a life, and the freedom and prosperity you make of it. It is a mystical place, a sacred place, a perfect place to gather your thoughts and maybe share a few. The Jaguar statue adds to this environment of solace. After I humble myself at the wall, I often wander over to the Jaguar and it inspires me to carry on, to move forward and not look back. I promise you sir that my intentions are pure, and after all I am a supportive Jaguar fan. 

 Mr. Del Rio, you and your entire staff have the honor to play in the shadow of the wall, near those whose destiny lies in the play book of God. And, I know you are good people, who have made as much as possible with your God given talents and wisdom. You carry this burden of athletic grace and strategic knowledge very well. For that I am grateful, as it adds to the best sports entertainment venue available in the world. Here’s to a great 2006 season and if you ever have open tryouts for a crazy out of control cigarette smoking place kicker, let me know. Just kidding of course, I’m not that crazy, but I would like to give that punt, pass, and kick thing a try sometime. 

 In closing, thanks also goes out to the architects and planners and workers who designed and placed the wall, and all those individuals and companies who donated to its cause. But, most of all I would like to thank those whose names are on the wall, and the families and friends who suffered their loss. This is a beautiful, proud country, just as the wall is. May the hopes, dreams, fortunes and honor of those whose names are inscribed in this timeless wall of stone…never be forgotten. 

 Yours in Faith, Family, and Football, May 17th, 2006: Bryan A. Stross Jacksonville, Florida 🪶😎🇺🇸✝️

May the waters be calm in your presence And the skies filled with your glory, now & forever more.  ⚓️🦅🕊️

A Distant Mist Filled Hill

During the Vietnam War many of our expert marksmen had sniper duty.
Their missions often involved being positioned on hills off the trails the enemy used to travel with their troops and supplies. The snipers did not take out just any target. Their aim was always directed at the officers and commanders of the Viet- Cong. How you may ask did they know the difference between the leaders and the every day troops. Well you see the enemy officers often wore shiny helmets compared to the regulars. It was these helmets they looked for and ultimately trained their sights on. The Viet-Cong took awhile to figure this out…which was to our advantage in a war of hide and seek and hide again. My sincere gratitude goes out to these men of cunning and bravery. May your sights always be clear and your aim true to the cause of freedom.

“A distant mist filled hill”


So here we are on a distant mist filled hill
Looking for the shiny helmets in the chill
For some their stomachs feel a familiar ill
As they put in their sights the final kill
For me it’s just another run of the mill
In my mind I block it out as I hide behind the sill
It seems so dark at times, no one to send the bill
For my heart aches for the dead only until
The next one comes up the trail and I get my fill
The rations they give us taste like a sour dill
Often times I rest and think of a lost love, Jill
The memories help erase the guilt like a magic pill
Here comes another one, I’ll rest my sight on his gill
The silent shot rings out the sound and flash nil
Never do I miss; it is the aim of an expert will.

B.A.S. 11/11/08 7:00 AM EST

In war all is not fair….the faithful win the spoils.
In love all is not fair....the unfaithful forever toil.

To my brothers and sisters at arms, may your victories be many
And your loses be mere battles in a war against evil and hate.
A war that will have a certain victory for those who follow the faith.

In Our Majesties Service:

Psalm 118 Proverbs 18 & 19:1

The Daily News

The news we read, hear and see everyday influences our attitudes and outlook on life.
I wrote this years ago I beleive at a time when the Olympics were in Atlanta and the bombing took place.
During those days you were hard pressed to find anything good reported in the various media formats we absorb thru the day. Fortunatley I see a change in this as most of the time there are some good stories of helping and sharing with others reported in the news. I pray these efforts continue as it is obvious that as humans if we constantly see the bad side of life we will develop attitudes that that is all the world is made of. Seeing uplifting and caring stories will make us all more charitable in our outlook on life. If we are what we eat, then certainly we are what we read, hear and see in the environment surrounding us. Have a blessed and good day. Share a story of love with someone...it will warm their heart and ease their concerns.

The Daily News

What is it we do?
Why is it that we don’t?
It seems we would rather wallow in dirt
How we are uncaring although the hurt.
Our morals have deteriorated too long the garbage
Not to feel, but to see the carnage.
Display a word or picture of hate
Only to outweigh a volume of what is great.
How sad in life we hear of the twisted stories
And in death we then learn of the true glory.
Not many have graced this world of despair
With love and tenderness, someone who does care.
Why can’t the hate mongers be the ones taken away
Instead of the cherished, gone before their final say?
More over to live among the stiff
And still be blessed with loves special gift.
What is it we do…encourage the external dirt.
Why is it that we don’t….embrace those with internal hurt?
Let us live for the day when a picture of giving
Is more wanted than a picture of grieving.

© B.A.S. …:}….

In His Service:

Psalm 49 Proverbs 29

I Have Dreams

I have dreams, dreams some claim I’ll never see.
I have dreams, dreams of you and me.
I have dreams, dreams of a deep blue sea.
I have dreams, dreams that make some bleed.
I have dreams, dreams that cost life’s fee.
I have dreams, dreams of a distant creed.
I have dreams, dreams of a future to be.
I have dreams, dreams of a perfect deed.
I have dreams, dreams of an innocent plea.
I have dreams, dreams for the world to feed.
I have dreams, dreams to purify the seed.
I have dreams, dreams for someone to hear me plead.
I have dreams, dreams for Him to one day lead.
I have dreams, dreams that others should heed.
I have dreams, dreams we will one day succeed.
I have dreams, dreams to take away the greed.
I have dreams, dreams we will one night have all we need.
I have dreams, dreams as gentle as wind to a reed.
I have dreams, dreams sewn like a pattern of tweed.
I have dreams, dreams to kill the dark and evil weed.
I have dreams, dreams to float like a bee.
I have dreams, dreams to be happy and glee.
I have dreams, dreams of a game played with a tee.
I have dreams, dreams of a mystical sweet tea.
I have dreams, dreams the lonely will one day be called we.
I have dreams, dreams I know in history we'll read.

© B.A.S. …:}.… 11/8/08 7:00 AM EST

In His Majesties Service:

Psalm 45 Proverbs 26

Challenges

Throughout this life we are faced with many challenges.
Some are self-promoted, but many come out of nowhere.
You think all is well and then something hits you like a ton of bricks.
These challenges help make us who we are.
They form memories that are with us forever.
Many are forgotten consciously.
But in your subconscious, they are always there.
As new challenges approach and consume you,
You rely on these memories to help you thru them.

When I was about 10 years old, I went on a school field trip.
It was to the Indiana State Dunes, a state park on Lake Michigan.
I was swimming with a group when I got separated from them.
Soon I was a couple hundred yards out in the lake.
I had been caught in a rip tide and was scared beyond belief.
Although I could see the shore, my friends and the lifeguard,
They did not see me or hear my screams for help.
It was then I realized that if I were live, I had to do it on my own.

I started to swim towards the shore and realized I was getting nowhere.
For some reason I tried swimming at an angle to the shore.
After several minutes I could tell I was making head way.
So, I continued this motion for what seemed like hours.
Often times I would have to stop and rest,
Only to realize I was losing valuable distance from the shore,
As the tide continued to carry me out when I stopped.

After at least forty-five minutes I finally reached the beach.
I was exhausted and started to vomit.
I was so exhausted I didn’t initially realize
I was over a half mile from the group on the beach.
So, even though I was totally exhausted,
I still had a long walk back to the party where I started.

When I arrived no one even recognized I had been missing,
Except for the counselor who was our chaperon.
“She said where have you been?” In a somewhat angry tone.
“You know you are supposed to stay with the group.”
I looked at her and said…”I lost my jacket and was looking for it.”
I was too scared to tell her I almost drowned.
She said, “Did you find it?” 

I said, “No, I suppose it is gone for good.”
She said, “OK then gather up your lunch sack it is time to eat.”
I was too exhausted to think of eating and still had
The breath of sickness in my throat and nose.

That memory has always been with me since.
And years later it helped save my life again.

About four years ago I was scuba diving off Boca Raton.
I have all my own equipment but had rented air tanks.
My own tanks I knew very well.
I knew the limits of their abilities as I was comfortable with them.
When you scuba dive, confidence in your equipment is paramount.
As my air gauge reached the yellow mark, I knew it was time to surface.
However, with my own tanks I knew I had a little time left.
As the needle approached the red line, I knew it was time to surface.
I was in about forty-five feet of water and was spear fishing.
Just as I was about to begin my ascent a grouper showed itself.
I took the shot, missed and my spear wedged in the coral.
I struggled to get it free, when my air tank began to lose pressure.
I left the spear, began to surface and ran out of air at just that very second.
I had at least forty feet to go with no air. I panicked.
I forgot to drop my weight belt as trained
And so it took even longer to surface.
At about fifteen feet to go my lungs felt like they would explode
And my head was pounding. I almost gave up.
But I continued to stare and concentrate as best I could on the surface.
Fortunately, it was a bright sunny day and I could see the Sun
As it shined thru the bluish green water, I never let my eyes off of it.
Because I knew that light meant life...my life.

With one last thrust of my arms and legs I finally broke the surface.
I remember the feeling of taking that initial breath, that gulp of life.
I laid on the surface for several minutes catching my breath.
The whole time looking at that bright Sun
And thanking it for saving my life.
For without those beams of sunlight, I would have surely perished.

That night I said deep prayers of respect and thanks to The Lord.
For I know it was His Light that was with me that day.
It showed me the way & encouraged me to not give up.

A day of a life challenging experience that will always be with me,
Just like the rip tide of the Indian Dunes.

If you have any such memories, cherish them whether good or bad.
They are meant to form who you are and how you will react
When the next challenges approach and hit you.

Remember The Lord will never place an obstacle in your path,
That cannot be overcome.

In the words of Coach V, "Don't give up...don't ever give up!"

And an old saying I just heard...

"It is far easier to climb a mountain and look down, 

then to dig under…and look up."


B.A.S. 11/6/08 5:15 AM EST

Have a safe day as you face your challenges.

In His Life Saving Service
Psalm 36   Proverbs 21

A Lake Full of Bluegills

ORIGINAL POST FROM NOVEMBER 2008:

This is a story based on facts which happened some 40 years ago. It has deeper meanings, chief of which is how underestimated and stereotyped people, can rise to the occasion and create miracles of sorts.

Always remember and never forget, "Greatness is as fragile as the glass in your windowpane, as reflective as the glass in your mirror, as clear as the glass holding your drink and as historical as the glass protecting your favorite picture". 

Note: A bluegill is predominately a hand sized fish also known as a sunny in some parts. It has colorful (blue & reddish) gills and is overall a shiny brownish silver fish with an aggressive attitude. I believe the record for this fish is over five pounds, clearly bigger than hand sized.

A Lake Full of Bluegills

The moon shown full in the cool night air and the stars were out in all their twinkling beauty. The leaves were just starting to turn as a cool breeze pushed puffy clouds towards warmer destinations. A campfire burned, as did the stomachs of three men from eating too much hot venison stew.

It was a perfect night for tales of memories gone by. Three men, two of mid-age and one much older, were relishing in the delight of being far removed from their day to day routines. The old man, who sat and listened to the younger men tell tales of fishing and hunting, some so wild he knew they were more the just embellished lies, they were outright fantasy.

Other stories were actually based on truth. There was the one about the Northern Pike that rose and ate a whole loon as it sat on a calm and dark Minnesota lake. There was the one about a sailfish that jumped into an offshore boat, clearing the deck of all its hardware and even one of the crew. And of course, the twenty-six-inch Redfish caught on six-pound test from the bridge of Guanna Dam.

The old man sat patiently, listening to these tales, separating lies from truth. After an hour or so it appeared as if the younger men had run out of tales, both fact and fiction.
At that point one of the younger men spoke to the old man saying “Don’t you have a tale or two to tell?”

The old man scratched his stubbled chin, looked skyward, and with a raspy haggard voice said, “Sure I have one, but it may not live up to your standards as a great tale, however it is based on the truth.” The younger man said, “Well, go ahead on old man, let’s hear it anyway.” After a pause the old man started his story….

It was the middle of the summer in Northern Wisconsin. I was part of a group on a family vacation. There were three families sharing a multi room cabin. The men decided to get all their gear, gather everyone up, load up the boats, and go catch a mess of fish for a huge nights fish feast.

As the loading commenced it was clear there was not room for everyone. Someone had to stay behind. One of the men, whose name was George said, “Hey this is a serious trip, we need the best fishermen on this trip, I think Little Johnny should stay behind since his fishing skills are limited.” This was a cruel thing to say and Johnny took it hard while the others just shook their heads. But George was right, there was no room for a six year old boy who couldn’t cast more than twenty feet, when serious bass and perch fishing was about to commence.

So off the four boats of experienced fishing grown ups went, to catch the nights dinner. Johnny stayed at the cabin with Grandma who was too afraid to maneuver in and out of a small boat.

Now Johnny was just like any six year old boy. Not to be totally left out, and being there was a lake, a dock, and a big can of worms, he grabbed his Zebco, and started fishing off the dock. The water was so clear you could see the blue gills as they came to the hook, looked at the small chunk of worm, and as if ordered from some unknown master would charge one by one at the morsel of worm suspended on the hook. This was amazing to Johnny, to watch this swarm of bluegills, as if they were piranhas, devouring his hook one by one as if they hadn’t eaten in weeks. He did not need to cast, he did not need to set the drag, all he had to do was hang his line over the dock, wait a second or two, and pull up his catch.

There was an old rowboat next to the dock; it had rained the night before, so there was several inches of water in the bottom of the boat. Johnny, whose stringer was full, started throwing his catch in the row boat, not really paying attention, still mesmerized by the sight of the swarming blue-gills; he didn’t notice his catch was now filling the old boat fore and aft.

After about three hours Johnny heard the sound of boats, it was at that point he also ran out of worms. So, he caught his last bluegill and tossed it in the rowboat with the mass of others. As the boats pulled up to the dock, Johnny couldn’t wait to see the catch that the grown-ups had gotten. To his surprise after four hours of expert fishing only one perch was caught. The grown-ups had all but decided there would be no fish fry this night.

As gear was unloaded one of the men walked by the rowboat and couldn’t believe his eyes. There were at least two hundred blue gills, most of them still alive, flopping and sliding and trying to hop out of the boat. “Hey George look at this, I think Johnny caught every blue gill in the lake!” This was of course an exaggeration, but nevertheless there was truly a mess of fish in that old rowboat.

Johnny was now a hero, the fish he caught was surely enough to feed the whole group. Of course George was not overly happy; he got the majority of the fish cleaning duties since Johnny was too young to handle a sharp knife.

That night, as Johnny joined everyone for dinner, he had a huge smile on his face. Because as everyone dined on bluegill, on his plate was the lone perch the grown-ups had caught, made especially for him.

As the old man finished his story, albeit not the grandest of tales, he pointed out to the younger men, “Don’t ever under estimate the fishing prowess of a six year old boy, a Zebco, an old rusty can of worms, and a lake full of bluegills.”

© Bryan A. Stross January 2008

The Candle of Zion

The candle burns bright with love tonight As emotions cause our spirits to take flight. The flame flickering, its’ magic dancing As gentle light on the ceiling is prancing. The walls are lit with a dim yellow haze As our minds drift into an unknown maze. The search for our desires held by the night As we dream of some mystic historical fight. The demons and angels collide in battle As warlords pray with their spears they rattle. The day break comes, the dead lay all around As their souls seek shelter in the great round. The demons are many and their souls are not forgiven As they struggle to reach and seek out the glory of Heaven. The heathens have cast lots with a dark and evil master As they realize now how judgment comes all the faster. The angels are few, in victory they gained much favor As they are welcomed into the arms of eternity to savor. The battle it seemed had an all too familiar outcome As foretold in pages written by the lost and lonesome. The search now shows it truly had a special meaning As many gather around them their bodies gleaming. The dark and evil master has now been captured As many of the faithful rise in the sunlight’s rapture. The story of the battle lives on thru the ages As many now write of it in scattered pages. The demons should have known their fate was sealed As they worshipped pain, their wounds never healed. The victory won the angels move on to a new lit horizon As an all too familiar breath of light lights for a city called Zion. 

 © B.A.S. …:}…. 11/1/08 6:45 AM EST 

In His Service. 2nd Samuel 5…Psalm 70