Dandelion Clocks

Separation sucks

Of all the homes that I have known

throughout my years of living,

there's one that draws me back in dreams

where thoughts are not forgiving.

For where the four lanes crossed I lived

with parents and four siblings.

While there contentment ruled my heart

though short it was in measure,

till circumstance dispersed us all,

too soon, too soon my pleasure.

For what I'd found, crushed in the ground,

was lost and gone forever.

A dandelion's seeded head

is wholesome to the eye,

yet when the seeds are blown apart,

excuse me but I'll cry.

So bittersweet that loving place

where pain is stitched to fine white lace.

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris… our Memories of growing up in big houses where Roses blushed… is always on our ❤️ Hearts.. Now the Angels brought us to a Cross roads to choose the Words that prepare the Journey we all must take eventually. Softly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Pat. Pleased you stopped by to share your thoughts. Have a wonderful week.

read moreMany thanks Pat. Pleased you stopped by to share your thoughts. Have a wonderful week.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Dandelion clocks, we used to play at telling the time with those as i am sure you did too Chris, but with each blow the clock times out and everything moves on.
Be happy for the memories , i was an only child .... :(

[Chris Shaw]

Sad you had no siblings Stella. I have lovely memories but when I walk past that house, I still feel sad. Last time all seven of us lived as a family. We also used to tell the time by blowing on the seed head. Happy days.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

aww, treasure those memories Chris xx

[Chris Shaw]

I will Stella x

[Madeira]

A wonderful poem of young love and loss, this really touched me, thank you

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Madeira for your lovely comment. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Some view dandelions as obnoxious weeds. Some view them as nourishment or even medicine. The young leaves are edible and quite tasty while the flowers have been fermented to make wine. I always viewed the dandelion as a friend...the most common of flowers but wild and free in spirit. I enjoyed your poem. The comparison of the seeds to a family was endearing. And though the seeds scatter quite easily I have seen dandelions pushing up through solid concrete. So there is strength in seemingly tender and transient things. Perhaps a comforting thought to remember.

[Chris Shaw]

Dandelions pushing up through concrete, that is indeed a comforting thought to remember Fabian. Dandelions have always been a friend to me. Never tasted dandelion wine though, might have to give that a try.

Thanks Fabian

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

(smile) I haven't either. But I know the older folks in Appalachia used to make it.

[Chris Shaw]

If I find some over here, I'll let you know what it was like :))

[UN]

You are a really skilled wordsmith and create such beautiful imagery. The title was what attracted me to this piece.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ewan. Your comments very much appreciated.

Chris

[emipoemi]

I was drawn to this poem by the title, but didn't feel like it was as worth it when I found that it didn't quite do justice to the poem. The piece itself is something - no doubt! I love the mood, the rhymes, the narrative, and the fact that there's that surprise change in the structure at the very end. Nice touch. I simply don't understand how it had anything to do with clocks....I sense a lot of memory and nostalgia, but no sense of time. Stanza 2 was my favourite. Well constructed! Simply well done! (I think it merely needs a better title).

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. The seed head of a dandelion, is also known as a dandelion clock. Blow on the seed head and the tiny little seeds like parachutes disperse through the atmosphere. When I was young, blowing on the seed head (the number of times that was done) was also supposed to tell the time. The title is very apt for this piece in my opinion, but if you are a younger person you may not understand why. This is to do with dispersal of family. I appreciate your comments though. Thank you and I'm pleased you enjoyed the poem.

Chris

[emipoemi]

A poem becomes all the more powerful if you convey your message/narrative so that even your readers can relate. All I got out of this poem was that it was about nostalgia, and it was a tad this-and-that and here-and-there for me to make much sense out of it (in the direction you wanted we readers to go in). It's well done, don't get me wrong there, I just don't think you're conveying entirely what you want to be. Play with it. What you want has potential.....you just don't have that yet.

[Crowley]

I love the imagery that the title conjures up. This flowed really well and the rhyming scheme was very good. Its strange what makes us nostalgic and reminds us of our past. Happy or sad, there are times that are worth revisiting. Great job!!

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate your comments Crowley. Thank you so much.

[KeeD]

This pulls at the strings of my core, I hurt inside because I too come from a broken home, it drove me to have a strong feeling of resentment towards my father. It might have been purely for selfish reasons, I didn't get to grow up with a dad or have nicer things than my single working mother could provide or even have certain values passed down to me that only a father could but now having lost him a few weeks ago I realise that no matter what physical place I might be in he will always have a home in my heart, love transcends all the barriers that life and its difficult tide throw at us. I really did appreciate and like your poem, sorry I related it to a fresh wound in my life, by all means, your poem does reach out and touch the heart.

[Chris Shaw]

Love does transcend all barriers, I like your very sensible approach to your own situation. Sorry if my poem touched a nerve.

Chris

[Maxwell Ryder]

I can just see everyone scattering to the wind.

Lovely write.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Maxwell. Your visit appreciated.

Chris

[Samuel Dickens]

I wish I could say what Annette did, as her words fit most well with my own thoughts. The comparison of a ruined dandelion head to a family blown apart is creative and strong. If only our best days on earth continued to the end.

[Chris Shaw]

You are very kind with your comments Samuel. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Jade]

So very well written and love the rhyme scheme part of this. Very nicely done

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you very much for your kind review.

Chris

[Jade]

not a problem