Late O'Clock

Beyond this rain splashed window pane,

my eyes are drawn towards the town,

three storeys high and looking down

into the harbour's thirsty mouth.

Low tide, sees anchored boats like stone

and silent streets unwelcome though

a glow from amber lamps gives light

to soften where the water laps.

Square riggers once would grace this place

and Captain's lodged where I now stay,

so they too had the same sharp view

of Brixham that I have today.

These cottages of pastel hues,

that oversee from giddy heights

at dawn are of the present time,

yet haunt the living late at night.

Reviews

[Lorry]

Goodliest of fine mornings to you Chris. I thought seeing as I have a minute or six, I'd go for an oldie this time... The poem, not the... Anyway...
Your late o'clock sounds a bit like my silly o'clock, except a bit more rivery and most likely with a few less trees, unless it doubles as Hansel and Gretels cottage, which surely the waves would ruin all that lovely gingerbread! 😊
Your last line is perfect for such a haunting piece. Sometimes the stillness of night haunts the most hearty of people, leading to that fake bravado when you begin to creep yourself out, that you better get to beddy byes after all and hide under the sheets.. Or Is that just me? 😊
Enjoy your weekend and I hope Mr Sun has got his hat on for you, despite that feeling like a quite irresponsible fire hazard. And don't get me started on when he's pictured with shades on. They'd surely melt all over his eyeballs and that sounds at the very least, a bit nippy 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Hi Lorry, I appreciate you looking at older poems without mentioning …. I have to say you have me pondering on fairy stories now I have just remembered the Snow Queen. What a cold cow was she. The sun has just come out and brushed those moody clouds away:) Hope your weekend is a good one and thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Beautifully descriptive images of your homeland that one such as I shall never behold ... Thank you for sharing ...

Marve

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for another thoughtful review Marve. Brixham is a fishing port in the west country. I love it there. We have holidays there several times a year. Will be going again in March with all the family.

Chris

[1809 Black Plague Decem..]

Good morning, Dearest, Chris Shaw,
The cottage, the whole imagery of the lights and the plant (what's out there)
catches my heart, It dampens me,
I hear your words of pastel,
but it is within the sea,
so I think nothing but dark, and cumbersome, greys, with mists hiding light,
great write! great write!
enjoyed your work very much,
------1809 Black Plague December

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. It pleases me that you enjoyed the read. I appreciate your thoughts.

read moreThank you so much. It pleases me that you enjoyed the read. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[1809 Black Plague December]

thank you Chris, will do so,

[W. Barrett Munn]

Chris,
I really like this one. You have such nice gentle touch with rhyme that makes it seem natural within the syntax.
W

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks W. An older write out for can airing. Pleased you enjoyed.

Chris

[Neville]

I just know I have been here before .. and of course, you know that too our Chris .. just wanna say .. it's good to be back my friend ..................... Neville :)

[Chris Shaw]

You just made my sleepy Saturday morning Neville. Thank you my friend :)

[Neville]

N is :)ing too ... just realised it is saturday doh and I dont mean department of health neither :)

[Chris Shaw]

:)............

[Red Brick Keshner]

Harbourside is an awesome place to be. One of my favourite spots. This poem has taken me to this particular place. That a vantage point it must have been, the Captain's lodge. There must also be a long history to go with it. Thanks for sharing, Chris. /Frederick.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Frederick for checking this older poem out. Good to see it breathe again.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Ah, I love anything that speaks of the sea or feels like a canvas sail. This was beautiful and it brought the sound of distant crashing waves and screeching gulls to my mind. Thank you for that! :)

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for checking this oldie out. That is the poem as well as me :) I am very fond of Brixham, I love the sea too and the history of the harbour. Many thanks.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

"and Captains lodged where I now stay"... It must be a magical place where you live.
A mystery of history... Time to review when you first graced us with your poems.
A starburst of poetic waves crashing upon the shore. gently, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

My dear Pat, allow me to thank you so for wandering in my library. Brixham is very special to me. We holiday there a couple or maybe three times a yea, covid permitting. It contrasts well with my country home. Here you have history and the ambience of a fishing port. Different skies, different smells and the moods of the ocean. We stay in different cottages. I am so excited by that. They all reek history and while others sleep I window watch in the darkness. Much love

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

It is natural to ponder the beauty of the sky and Ocean... even at night. Our silver years can bring
peace and contentment if only we take time to
breathe the sea air and survive the storms along the way. gently, Pat

[Broken.]

Beautiful work. I feel like I have almost travelled there myself! Always have wanted to visit, but still ironing out details. I really enjoy the history of places like that. I've always wanted to know about it wherever I go. Thank you

[Chris Shaw]

Brixham is a small fishing town in Devon. I love it there and when I am on holiday there often write about it. Thank you for visiting this poem Broken. All your visits are valued.

Chris