Poet-Robert Edgar Burns (February 14,1953-April 20,2012) Poem by Theodora (Theo) Onken

Debbie, Thank you so much for your very sweet comment/letter. Got to finally know Robert and what he was truly all about-had met him briefly way back in 2004 on Love Poetry and again later on another site...he was always very kind to me...and in this day and age you often do not find them this kind-he taught me never to judge as often those judgements are wrong! ! ! ! ! ! He kept everyone entertained with his light-hearted writes that came straight from his heart, obviously. Am so sorry for your loss and your siblings loss...not to mention your Grams...Your poem is a most awesome and well written tribute to your brother. May God bless you and watch over you and yours always! Sending you blessings, Theo

Hello Theo, Robby was my big brother - 13 months older than me. He was a wonderful person, and I was thrilled to see your tribute to him. Robby and I lived several states apart, and I very, very rarely saw him, but that doesn't mean I don't miss him - and will for a long time to come (probably the rest of my life) . Robby was the eldest of four children, so our 93-year-old grandmother lost her first grandbaby on April 20,2012. (Not only that, Gram's very best friend died the same day as Robby - almost at the exact same time. Then Gram's baby brother died 16 days after Robby died, so Gram's heart has been crumbled into pieces.) Robby loved our grandmother very much, and was a loving grandson. He was a good brother to we three other siblings (me and Danny and Teri) , and was a sweet uncle to his many neices and nephews. Both of our parents died at fairly young ages, and I don't think Robby ever got over either of their deaths (Dad in 1980, and Mom in 1997) ...But I think Robby's perception of the fragility of life was the motivation for many of his poems - and also contributed to the loving person he was, and the dedicated Christian he strived to be. Thank you for such a nice tribute, Theo. Here is a poem I wrote while waiting to board the plane to go to Florida to attend Robby's memorial service (which was held April 27,2012 at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida) . ]]]]]]]]] THE POET IS GONE A Tribute to My Big Brother Robert Edgar “ Robby” Burns 2-14-1953 - 4-20-2012 The poet is gone, his pen void of ink, His paper sits blank, for he no longer thinks Of what he might say in his next words of rhyme - His journey's complete, for he's run out of time. But we can also perceive this in a much different light, That the poet's been given crystal-clear sight... And without a body to pain him, and with a heavenly mind, He's now writing verse of an ethereal kind. This husband, this father, this brother no more, This eldest grandchild who was so much adored, Is sitting with angels and composing a poem, To speak to our hearts of his glorious new home. by Deborah Elizabeth “Debbie” Burns Yates ]]]]]]]]] Regards, Debbie