News

Beebe's "Poet in Residence" Completes Sale of Third Book

11/10/05

Lewes retiree Donald Wagner has developed a knack for writing poetry with a lovely rhythm and musical tone. Each poem tells a story, and shares a snippet of a life experience.

In 2004, The International Society of Poets honored Wagner with an award for his first poem, My Angel. In the poem, Wagner wrote about a visit by an angel on the night before Christmas. The angel wore the wedding band that belonged to his late wife Christine who passed away in 1995.

I write whatever comes to my mind, said Wagner, who is finishing his fourth book of poetry entitled Spoken Words.

It was his wife Christine who inspired his writing, and the care given to her by Beebe Medical Center that has made him an avid medical center supporter.

Wagner not only has written about Beebe nurses, doctors and the hospital itself, but also has volunteered at the hospital for the past eight years, and has donated the proceeds of his three books to the Beebe Medical Foundation's Vision 2005 Capital Campaign.

Wagner recently presented a check for $1,160 to Beebe Medical Foundation Chairman the Honorable Eugene Bookhammer from the proceeds of his latest book The Writings of Me. So far, Wagner has donated more than $3,100 to help fund the expansion of the Emergency Department.


It is truly inspiring to see a volunteer who not only gives many hours of his time to help the Medical Center in the Emergency Room, but who also has found a way to convert his interest and support of Beebe into a philanthropic gift, Bookhammer said.

Wagner, in fact, has a warm spot in his heart for the Beebe Medical Center Emergency Department. His volunteer post is situated at the department's entrance, and he has often watched as doctors, nurses and staff have cared for critically ill patients. Wagner has written several poems describing what goes on in the Emergency Department, and has described the magic doors behind which &the team gives all.

Wagner also has written about the special care he was given in the Emergency Department, and also wrote a poem about My Family; Beebe Medical Center.

&Just this week, I had a pain, Found it hard to breathe. Made it to the check-in, And what they did for me. They did their job, It was done right. I witnessed it before, But that was from the other side, Of the door&

While finding Wagner's books for sale is not too easy as he does not sell them in any local book stores, but instead has sold them from the hallways of Beebe Medical Center, one of his poems can be read on the City of Lewes website. He presented the poem A Poem About Lewes to the City this past September.

&The cannons pointing out, Which protected you and me, he wrote.
It stands for our freedom, That's what it's all about&


Caption: Pictured left to right in front of Vision Campaign Thermometer on the front lawn of Beebe Medical Center is Don Wagner presenting a copy of his latest book and a check to Mr. Eugene Bookhammer. Vision 2005 Capital Campaign is the largest campaign ever undertaken in support of Beebe Medical Center.