Poetry in Motion

January 2025

By Kim Gilmore Dunn, senior public education coordinator

It started with a simple yes-or-no question.

“The lady from LifeQuest asked if I knew how to fold the American flag,” said Pastor Kenneth Frame, a veteran and parking enforcement technician at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. “I told her yes.”

Frame witnessed an Honor Walk — the breathtaking moment when friends, family and hospital staff line the hospital halls to silently pay their respect as an organ donor makes their final journey from the ICU to the operating room to save lives. Family members walk behind their loved one’s hospital bed draped with a Donate Life or American flag as it is wheeled to its final destination. The flag is folded and given to the donor’s next of kin.

The beauty and sacrifice of what happened inspired Frame to memorialize his experience in a poem entitled, “Touch of Life.” The sonnet pays tribute to the generosity of organ donors and their families, and it underscores the significance of organ procurement organizations – LifeQuest, in particular – when working directly with a decedent’s family to ensure the Gift of Life and honor the donor’s legacy.

“I was so moved by what I saw that I thought, I have to do something,” he said.

Simple yet magnificent, an Honor Walk is meant to show families they are not alone and signal the hope of healing.

“I just thought it was amazing because I am a registered organ donor myself,” Frame said. His emotions were raw to begin with, having recently finished his chemotherapy treatments.

It was Frame’s second day back at work when the employee from LifeQuest approached him and his supervisor and asked if they would consider folding the American flag for an Honor Walk. They both wholeheartedly agreed.

“I know what it is like to go through stuff and the importance of showing dignity,” said Frame, who is now cancer-free.

Feeling both privileged and humbled, he went home and poured out his feelings in a stirring poem that illustrates the physical, emotional and spiritual comfort that is provided to the loved ones of a donor amid tragedy and a rollercoaster of emotions.

“I was watching the faces of those lined up in the area and the emotion on their faces,” Frame said. “The sense of calm, quiet and respect just simply blew my mind. Your agency, they were just so professional, courteous to the family and courteous to the staff that day.”

Frame has been writing poetry since 2012. That’s when he met and married his wife, Patricia.

He has published several books of poetry that are available on Amazon. Among them, “Broken,” which follows his journey from being homeless to becoming an ordained pastor, and “The Places We Call Home,” which highlights some of America’s most beloved cities. His poem, “The Cascade Experience,” is on display in a parking garage at Cascades Park near downtown Tallahassee and featured at VisitTallahasse.com.

“I just finished writing a poem called, “America,” honoring the human race,” he said.

Giving back is at the heartbeat of Frame’s life. He founded Heavenly Threads, a foundation that provides blankets to cancer patients, and 100 Footprints, a nonprofit that delivers Bibles to police officers.

“Your purpose is greater than your circumstance,” said Frame, who serves as chaplain at Port Saint Joe Police Department.

Frame said his most recent poem, “Touch of Life,” is his most meaningful work.

“This poem is totally different than all of the other poems I have ever written because I saw the person that was being wheeled down the hall, and it was very moving to me,” Frame said.

 

Watch the beauty and sacrifice of an Honor Walk on LifeQuest’s YouTube channel.

 

 

 

“Touch of Life”

By Kenneth Frame

 

The heroes among us shape the direction of life

something that’s forged in the hearts of a living soul that we call courage.

You see just ordinary people who have moved to do extraordinary things that grasp the future of uncertainty, in uncertainty that catapults heroes into the beauty of hope by donated their organs to save a life.

LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services at the top of the line

for they are  professional and courteous all the time.

A touch of class capturing the beauty of life

for their commitment to services out of sight.

As the artist paints on the canvas of grace

by showing the whole world their professional taste.

For their commitment to safety has stood the test of time

and for many years they’ve been saving lives

For they take pride in themselves on being the best

because they have passed all of God’s amazing tests.

With service, integrity and so much more,

with footprints of excellence that can’t be ignored.

For their integrity and honor never ends

because they treat your loved ones as family and friends.

Yes, you’re in good hands when they visit your state

for LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services is truly great.

So snap your fingers twice and get into the groove

for the saving life professionals are truly on the move.

Because they work very hard to supply your needs

for this is their highest priority.

To save a life is truly their goa.

for the footprints of their legacy is strong and bold.

Because it takes pride in your heritage and your family name

for the love they share is their shield of faith.

As they greet each family with God’s Grace

as the tears rolling down your hurting face.

They’re comforting love will ease your pain

because saving another life is an honorable thing.

Even in death, life will live to bless a family or someone’s kids

by giving your communities the highest of care,

and you can see one of their footprints anywhere.

Because your integrity for your family’s love if their highest pride

by protecting your identity and saving lives.

So if you need their services there just to call away

and they will respond to your needs the very same day.

So join their winning team and be one of the best

as I honor the green and white of LifeQuest.

So snap your fingers twice and get into the groove

for this organ recovery service is truly on the move.