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:)

[Jimmy Yetts]

This is lovely and touching and heartbreaking.
Not least of all, it radiates elegance.

[Chris Shaw]

A delightful review. Thank you kind sir. Most appreciated.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A beautiful tribute said in that innocent voice of a child recalling days when things were simple and true. Nice flowing verse with rhyme and pathos.

[Chris Shaw]

Oh for simple days John. Thank you so much. Lovely elegant lady, like a little bird she was, my great grandmother. Second day of lockdown. Working through a list of jobs I am forcing myself to do. The garden was attacked yesterday :) Have a good day.

Chris

[Lorry]

Those olfactory memories never ever forget, do they Chris? A scent for Martha, baking bread for Mum, pipe smoke for Grandpa, the list goes on and on. All connected instantly to the person like instant time travel and transports us back to those days of innocence and the people who meant so much that they get their own scent label.
I wonder what mine is.... Toast n marmalade most likely. Me and Paddington have that scent covered. 😀
Hope it brought smiles at all the smiles shared.

[Chris Shaw]

I can picture you and Paddington enjoying your toast and marmalade together. I bet you have nice conversations with him too don'tcha? Yes, an old poem of an old memory. Martha crossed my path again yesterday while I was sweeping leaves in the garden. Happy to give her an airing and thankful you met her too Lorry. Have a great day doing whatever little is now allowed.

Chris

[Lorry]

Just keeping updated on the news. Just waiting for them to agree on a trump/ Biden dance off... On ice 😳

[Chris Shaw]

Two old sods dancing on ice. Wouldn't that be a larf. What a fiasco over there. I thought politics here was shite, but the USA have to do it bigger and better :))

[Lorry]

In sparkly leotards and to be socially inclusive, as well as health and safety for all womankind... Same sex partners.
Thelook on trumpets face would be priceless 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha, now you got me laughing out loud. Sparkly leotards hee, hee......

[AJNJ]

When someone leaves, they leave in their wake their beauty and fragrance and little imprints of them on our spirit. She was a gentle, quiet soul that shared much beauty with you despite the harshness of the years and graced the earth with her lovely presence. She made you grateful you knew someone like her and she left peacefully as you called her name. This poem speaks volumes on how wonderful it would be if we could give them our time and attention while they were with us. We were so lucky to have them.

[Chris Shaw]

I was so young when she passed. I have only a few memories of her, she was like a little bird, and dressed for afternoon tea. A real lady. I have written another one about her and may dig that one out soon as she crossed my path again. Yesterday as I swept leaves in my garden, she drifted in. Thank you AJ for your continued support which is so appreciated. Have a good day.

Chris

[Anastasia]

This is a beautiful portrayal of a loved one...the last line is so haunting in that it speaks of how you connected with her before she died. This is very significant as the last moments are what remain with us the most and if they were positive then they leave us replete with joy and sans guilt. Your tribute to her is unforgettable and this poem shall remain with me for long. Thanks for this touching poetry.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sabrina, thank you so much for that wonderful review. Delighted that you enjoyed this poem about my great grandmother Martha. She was a real lady, dressed for afternoon tea, and wore high neck starched white blouses, a long black silk skirt and pearls. She crossed my path again yesterday while I was in my garden sweeping up autumn leaves. Had to find this one and give it an airing. Your visit really appreciated.

Chris

[.]

Your lines brought tears in my eyes. It made me reminisce my own grandmother and the loved ones whom I lost and missed terribly. The fond memories lingers and we lost ourselves in their thoughts. My grandmother was also a very loving lady and we used to play in the garden..... Thank you for bringing those fond memories back again. The graceful lady and at the same time a graceful tribute.... Really very nice

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sima, thank you so much for reviewing this older poem today. Martha crossed my mind so I thought it would be nice to give this poem an airing.

Chris

[.]

You are welcome...

[john l smith]

A nicely framed remembrance
I also have fond memory of my grandmother but this reminds me more of my mothers passing
Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave for reviewing. Martha was my great grandmother, and a real lady. I remember her with much fondness. If these words remind you of your Mother's passing, I hope they brought you some comfort.

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Oh Chris...They don't make ladies like that any more, do they...? The grace, the caring, those accomplished hands adding beauty to whatever they did, whether it was cooking, baking, gardening or craft work..and the love...the love. Every verse makes such an impact. This is my most favorite poem from you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dhara, Martha was a real lady. I'm pleased this is a favourite from my work.

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

You are welcome. This is a most awesome tribute to Martha!

[barleygirl]

This is so beautiful! I love the actual vignette you tell in well-crafted imagery, but it also brings other side ideas to mind, as well. So many times I feel the presence of someone I miss & cannot be with anymore . . . it happens lots of times when I’m doing something joyful like gardening, as if we’re doing it together. That’s the main imagery that sticks with me, as your poem is very memorable, just like some of the friends we cannot be with anymore (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for a lovely review Margie. It's usually when I am on my own and quiet that I can pick up on this type of presence. Can't explain it, but it happens. It is joyful as well, not sad, and I usually have an inkling who my spirit friend is as well. So glad you find this poem to be memorable.

Chris

[Earl Schumacker]

Hi Chris, Beautiful tribute poem. It is so sad when you lose a loved one.

This is a nicely structured, well metered poem. Your beginning lines, "breathed in the scent of pearly pinks,in garden beds of hyacinths.' "Pinks" and "hyacinths" is a very strong rhythmic connector. I read through several of your poems. You seem to have mastered the world of rhyme. I think that you would also be great at free verse poetry. I can tell you enjoy what you are doing as a poet. Keep up the good work. Earl

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Earl and for reading some of my other stuff. i have always loved rhyme and meter, but do on occasions do dabble with free verse/blank verse. I am always a bit nervous of it though. I really appreciate your visit. Thank you.