Martha

A spirit crossed my path as I

breathed in the scent of pearly pinks,

in garden beds of hyacinths >

Her presence lingered, caught my thoughts,

a pause for moments to reflect,

to pay though late my fond respects

and conjure up those early days

on visits guided to a chair.

I'd listen, learn each time I stayed.

How old she seemed, how thin the skin

on hands that poured out lemonade

and played at making paper dolls.

It's strange that drapes once tightly drawn

can part at random to reveal

lost souvenirs that years can steal.

She left as softly as she came,

but not before I called her name.

Reviews

[Neville]

although at first I thought this would be a mourning song .. its not at all .. its a celebration of a series of fond recollections all rolled into one and marks each respectfully with a dignity and poise befitting of Martha herself and the poet recalling her .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

It is a fond recollection Neville and I thank you kindly for calling on Martha. I felt it was time to let her breathe some fresh air. I hope you are having a good day and looking forward to the bank holiday weekend my friend.

Chris

[Neville]

Greeting from a so far, somewhat damp, Somerset .. my pleasure entirely ma'am

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Sorry you haven’t got the sunshine Neville. It is glorious here. I am an optimist too so reckon the sun will shine on you and yours soon :)

[Neville]

so am I so think so too .. maybe :)

[Chris Shaw]

No need for confusion. Martha is my great grandmother and Neville is Neville:) The poem is an old one out for an airing. Sorry you got rain:)

[Chrissie Muldoon]

My grandmother's name was Martha, hence why I clicked on this.
She got early onset Alzheimer's when she was in her early 50s, so the only memories I have of her are ones where she didn't know me.
I have a lot of pent up grief about that: my grandmother, though she lived until I was 14, never knew me and I never knew her. Actually, she didn't know any of her grandkids. My sister was her eldest grandchild, and she was already getting sick when my sister was born. What any of us do know is all second hand from our parents, aunts and uncles.
Whenever we visited my Baba Martha in the care home, her skin was also thin, and we were also always guided to a chair where she was always sitting, a mere shell more and more everytime we would visit.
It's one of the great tragedies of my life that I never knew my grandmother, and the only memories that I have of her are marred from her degenerative illness.
But I take comfort in the idea that on some level, though not understood by my body or intellect, she knew me and saw me everytime I entered that hospital.

This is why art matters. You never know who will find comfort in your work.
Thanks for posting this xo

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your in-depth and beautiful review Chrissie. Please accept my apologies for a late response. I have been having a break from poetry. Your words touched me greatly. 🌹

Chris

[Chrissie Muldoon]

Absolutely no problem, Chris. I can appreciate that you needed a break. I hope you're well :)

[Patricia]

oh this is so beautiful and sad with a fondness that will last forever. i have had many memories of many souls just like this and it brings back wonderful memories and makes me feel blessed to have known them all. Lovely writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Patricia. Lovely for you to stop by and leave your thoughts. So much appreciated.

Chris

[AYVID N]

The gentle presence of a loved one felt during a pleasant interlude in a scented garden. She seems such a caring presence, bringing back precious memories. She leaves as softly as she came yet not before you call her name. It tells me how spiritually stirring and strong that moment of reconnecting is. They keep returning because they never stop caring. Such a wonderfully penned poem, dear Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

A spiritual visit from a great grandmother dear Divya. The scent of her wafted through while I was tending the garden. It has only ever happened once, but I felt her presence strongly. An older write out for an airing. Thank you most kindly for stopping by and gifting my page with your thoughts. 🌹

[Dave]

I, too, remember my grandmother with warmth and love. The kindnesses she often showered on me. Too late I recall the times when I wasn't as kind and caring as she was.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave for your warm and thoughtful review. Yes, Martha my great grandmother was very kind to me as a young child. Pleased you stopped by. Hope you and the family are ok.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - we are fine - thank you. Dave

[Marie]

Beautiful memories about in this tribute to someone so loved. Somebody who was so very special in life and remains extra special in Spirit. When we are young it is amazing how we someone of advanced years being so very old, yet as we approach their age we don't feel that old at all. Memories come to visit when we least expect them to and become our treasures which even death cannot take away from us. So, lovely to feel the lady's presence in Spirit and how gently she left, leaving beautiful memories in her wake. A very emotive, moving, tender and bitter-sweet write. Lovely work, Chris and thank you for sharing...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Marie for your thoughtful words. Martha was my great grandmother. She wafted in on a summer breeze as I was tending my garden. She died when I was 12. I knew it was her. Recognized the scent. It was all sweet, no bitter. It was an unexpected and happy spiritual visit. Have a wonderful Sunday dear poet. All the best.

Chris

[Marie]

So wonderful when we experience a visit from our loved one's in Spirit, Chris. Makes life worth living. All my Grandparents had crossed over to Spirit before I was born, so they were a big part of my life I missed out on. Now a great Grandmother myself! The years sure went by so quickly! Wishing you a very beautiful evening, dear poetess. Every possible good wish for a wonderful new week ahead too.

[Robert Trakofler]

I always associate my grandmother with scent of lilacs it has happened to me only a few times but out of nowhere I would smell them and I felt like she was standing behind me :/ I couldn't be sure if it was my subconscious mind that conjured the scent and feeling but it certainly felt real. what I can say for sure tho is you certainly made her smile when you wrote this poem and your conveyance of her hit me like an electric shock of remembering a similar instance

[Chris Shaw]

What a lovely review Bunny. Martha my great grandmother. Her spirit wafted in on a summer breeze. I recognized the scent. Her short visit pleased me no end. I had to poem it. Have a lovely Sunday my friend.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

The setting for this one seems to be a cemetery, where the speaker is reminded of someone close who has passed on. The speaker recalls visits with the person, possibly at an assisted care facility. The main takeaway I get is that the person's life, though now history, was a triumph, not a tragedy.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, this isn’t a mourning poem at all. A spiritual visit while in my garden from my great grandmother Martha. I knew it was her. Her scent wafted in. Thank you John.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Amazing how a smell or a song can stir the memory of a loved one to life. Lovely, F.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right Fabian. Martha, my great grandmother. Pleased you enjoyed my poem. Happy Sunday. read moreYou are so right Fabian. Martha, my great grandmother. Pleased you enjoyed my poem. Happy Sunday.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

A much respected lady with fond memories that hold sway in tears and closeness. I respect how you respect your elders and role models to write and share their names.

[Chris Shaw]

Sami, many belated apologies. A year late but better late than never. Thank you so much. Happy Sunday.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

No worries. All good. You are welcome Chris.

[Lisasview]

Good morning dear Chris,
Typing with my left finger...Actually I am getting pretty good at it. No longer on pain pills...just dealing with it.
Isn't it wonderful how warm memories can set the mood for a poem...
And, bring back even more thoughts of one that is now gone. Little did Martha know the impact that she had on your life and that you would one day write such a lovely poem of the time you spent with her.
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lisa. Pleased to hear you no longer have pain. Typing with one finger, I guess you just have to get used to it. I like to poem people who have or have had an impact on my living. It means I care about them. Martha was so kind to a little me. Have a lovely day. We have sunshine here.

Chris

[Lisasview]

oh how i wish i was out of pain..just made the decision after 3 days to stop the pain killers and deal with the pain.

[Chris Shaw]

You are a brave lady :) Hope it eases soon

[Lisasview]

I am pretty strong..for sure..thank you!!