Resilience

London Pride - a wild flower

Out of wreckage and destruction

broken streets in bomb blitzed London,

razed when warfare wreaked its havoc,

causing life loss and despair.

From the darkest, bleakest hours,

sprang the sight of tiny flowers

as they struggled through the rubble,

stretched their necks to breathe in air.

Where no other plant life flourished,

soon these pretty rosette faces

colonised the empty spaces,

spread themselves without a care.

Free and easy in surroundings,

pretty pink their pearly petals,

covered empty barren places,

stronger grew and settled there.

Out of wreckage and destruction,

when each day it's hard to function,

search for nature's wiser counsel,

grief a task we all must bear.

Let with time there come solutions,

every season brings a reason,

courage sent to help us cope

with welcome sprigs of new found hope.

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Christine, this is a wonderful poem and anthem for London and it’s struggle to survive the decimation of WW2. Great metaphor of the little wildflowers growing undauntedly through debris as they changed the landscape of destruction by being the visual embodiments of “resilience” and hope. Your uplifting and transcendent words, presented in a perfection of form, flow, cadence, imagery and rhyme, is truly Master-Class work. Brava!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Annette, you are too kind with your wonderful review. I am so pleased that you enjoyed this poem, because I actually put a great deal of work into it. It makes me feel now as though it was all worth it. Thank you.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I love the wildflowers. I plant them in my yard. I love the poetry dear Chris. The gift of seeing a flower during war. Would be a wonderful gift. Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your lovely review. The little flowers offered hope when there was much darkness. All the best Coyote.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I liked in a movie. When the English Soldiers saw the White cliffs of Dover. They cheered. I saw them six times. You are welcome dear Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

The white cliffs of Dover have a very significant meaning. When I see them after being abroad, I know I am in the safety of home. Yes, the soldiers, sailors and airmen would cheer at such a sight and with tears in their eyes.

[Coyote Poetry]

I would too dear Chris.

[D. Mansfield]

Chris, what a wonderful message that is both timely and timeless.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you DM for your kind review. All good wishes.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... your poetry still resonates today and always. Where flowers grow with sunshine and rain... there is Hope and Charity ...
Prayers and Love... always, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

My dear Pat, your review is beautiful. Without hope we have nothing. Thank you so much for calling on this old poem out for an airing.

Chris

[red93]

Fabulous as ever Chris. Strangely enough, just before the Hamas attack on Israel, I had been watching clips on You Tube of the 1969 epic Film 'The Battle of Britain' - easy to forget what our parents' generation had to go thru - and indeed their Parents as well ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Tom]

A truly inpirational, flowing poem in well rhymed verse citing the darkest days of world war 2 when cities we besighed under the foe's steady stream of air attacks, bombs dropped indiscriminitely causing chaos and carnage, yet take a leaf from nature's mantra, those little emergent flowers, delicate in form maybe, yet unyielding symbols of hope and eventual peace restored ...

And don't parts of this planet once again so desperately look for and need those little flowers of hope to emerge forthwidth?? 🌼

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tom for such a thoughtful review. An old poem out for an airing. You are so right, those little flowers are needed in many places in our world at the moment where conflict thrives. Let the flowers thrive instead. Have a peaceful day.

Chris

[Patricia]

you all have such a rich and fascinating history! I think next to Egypt your country is my favorite. Such a beautiful write!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Patricia. We have a rich history going back a long, long way. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Pete]

hope springs eternal no matter. is up to us to find it when there is seemingly none to be had ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pete. Yes hope is all we have. When that is gone there is nothing. An old poem out fir a breath of fresh air.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

A compelling ode to what Israelis must endure I am thinking, although wrapped in a British newspaper like fish and chips served warm but with caring.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Very fish and chips Winston, recalling events of past years. An old poem out for an airing. Many thank yous for the visit. Have a good Wednesday.

[Ken e Bujold]

what an enchanting read. from the vestiges of a city in ruins, you weave the uplifting message of life's resiliency, how it is nature's nature, and so in ours, to start again, and rise from the ashes. Beautiful poem Chris

ken

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate your thoughtful and encouraging review Ken. Hope you are enjoying your vacation.

Chris

[Arundass TP]

It's true for politicians war is inevitable, common people suffers, But life goes on. Good work 👍

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Arundass. War is futile. The innocents suffer. The politicians don’t. Have a good day.

Chris