Someone Else's Grief

(part of my stamp collection from years ago, an envelope with a black border,from the reign of Queen Victoria, the contents long gone)

An envelope I've saved for years,

the contents never meant for me,

its border heavy, sad with black,

the postmark eighteen, eighty-three.

Each letter slanted by the hand,

a quill and ink the style of pen.

The Empire Queen stamped on her throne,

a penny lilac way back then.

From time to time my mind breaks free,

I ponder mourners and their dead.

The Tennants of Belgravia,

the order from the sender read.

The seal is open, neatly sliced,

they must have used a letter knife.

And how did they receive the news,

the ending of another's life?

Did it greet them late one morning?

Did it strike without a warning?

Did they need the smelling salts,

to start them on their path of mourning?

Alas for me I'll never know,

or why it matters after years,

and yet I hold within, my hand

the cause of other people's tears

Reviews

[Neville]

This is so sad and in so many ways .. and also a reminder of just how values and indeed sentimentalities change over time .. They don't write them like that any more, do they .. The sadness of uncertainty clearly still lingers .. A fine write if ever there was.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Neville, thank you for giving this old poem a breathe of fresh air. I still have that envelope in my stamp collection. My imagination went into overdrive writing this. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful story shared I the poetry. I kept my grandmother letters. Many from me to her. They do have history and story to be remembered. I miss the days of letters. I liked your thoughts and logic on the letters. Thank you Christine for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your kind response Coyote.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Christine.

[Donna]

This is sad, but interesting. I have some very old photos that I purchased at a garage sale, and a store that people donate items. The photos are of people that I don't know, and I think like you do. Who is this person and what kind of life did they have. Very interesting.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Donna, and pleased to meet you. Yes we do think alike. I often purchase second hand stuff from charity shops and then start wondering about the previous owners. Pleased to hear I'm not the only one: ))

Chris

[Donna]

I'm glad to meet you to Chris.

[emipoemi]

The only aspect I would say would make this a bit more powerful is if you echo the title in the last line (saying "the cause of someone else's tears" instead). Other than that, this is soooooo well written. Absolutely well done!

[Chris Shaw]

You constructive critique, graciously received.

Chris

[emipoemi]

I'm glad. You're welcome.

[Kathryn Eddy]

This like I said in the comments below seems very intriguing. Almost seems like it could be made into a story.

[Chris]

a unique echo of empathy through the years... I liked listening to the tone and flow.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. Funny how an old envelope can make your mind wander and transport you back in time. You response appreciated Chris.

[Chris]

It IS the little things that touch the most in our silence.

[Stella Armour]

this is lovely, and i fully relate to it because although your letter is a very personal thing i collect old British coins, some go back over 200 years and i like to wonder who held them, who's pocket they were in.
Bygone times hold many secrets and if i were you i would also treasure that letter :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella. Yes a bit more sentimentality for me to hang on to:)) Appreciate your kind review.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

if you have a name on the letter maybe you could trace the family? genealogy is my hobby

[Chris Shaw]

Yes it was addressed to The Tennants of Belgravia. Posh area of London and certainly a well to do name. I'll have to dig it out and look for more clues Stella.

[Stella Armour]

Happy to help if I can....

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you.

[NEHA]

A totally undiscovered stuff I got to read today...a poem too stirring in its way...and compels the readers to ponder over again and again...
#Claps

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your wonderful review NEHA. Very much appreciated.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Something I knew nothing about.
A most intriguing narrative, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. Yes that's how bad news was conveyed in those days. Black bordered letters. I can't begin to imagine the horror of opening one of those. Thank you for reading.

[Relic]

This is moving and makes me ponder each line. A different time and place, but no doubt, the news hit someone hard. The burden must have felt just as immense as we would feel today. The reaction, the following circumstances, the lingering loss...we can only guess.

A fine poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you kindly for reviewing. I appreciate your comments and your time.

Chris