Selfless

(for my sister and other nurses and carers)

My selfless sister, London born,

three years my younger, I recall

you sleeping soundly in your cot

while wrapped within your white wool shawl.

Three inches shorter, you look up,

but dearest I do not look down

on you who's nursed the weak and sick,

the broken and unsound of mind.

For thirty years through thin and thick,

you plied your kindness and your care.

Your cheerful, dimpled, smiling cheeks

too often shared with those in need.

Where others followed, you would lead

and you to me a guiding light,

a beacon in a world gone mad.

Your goodness glows through all that's bad

and glad am I that you a part

of all whom I call family.

Reviews

[lightsong]

that's such a gorgeous heartwarming piece dear Chris, beautiful... beautiful... so poignant to me, in the ways You transferred from verse to another, and how You speak everything in these three verses, it just touched my heart deeply, that first verse ohhh... so moving, I have an older sister so this even rings inside me more sweetly, I can imagine how much Your dear sister treasures this most meaningful sincere and beautiful tribute to Her, Bless Her for the amazing person she is, and bless You for the amazing sister You are 🌸🌸

[Chris Shaw]

Your review Light is heart warming. Thank you so much. Pleased you also have a sister. Wonderful having sisters.

Chris

[Neville]

You are so lucky to have a sister such as the one portrayed here and so well .. and she you, I imagine ..
I leave the page with a genuinely warm glow.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

I have two sisters who fit this description and who were both nurses until they took retirement from nursing. This poem was written for Wendy on her retirement. Thank you Neville.

Chris

[Samuel]

The poem is marvelous .The way you narrated the episode is very impressive.
It is really ironic when people who are incharge of taking care of others fall ill. Perhaps it's a reminder that we all are humans and have to be humane always. Nice read indeed!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Samual for taking the time to read and review my poem. Pleased you enjoyed my lines.

Chris

[Connor Veenstra]

I like it. There's clearly a lot of love and passion behind it and it's about a subject that's close to you which is always good. The only thing I'd change is the flow. I can't seem to get the rhythm to it and I can't always decide what's supposed to rhyme with what. Other than that, it's pretty good.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Connor for calling on my work. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Sorry you didn't pick up on the flow, that is usually my strongest point :))

[Connor Veenstra]

Well, I'm an amateur, so what do I know?

[Chris Shaw]

Are you new here?

[sette]

very nice tribute for people who really allot time and devotion to a career wherein they are trained to be selfless and dedicated to caring for others.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much sette. There are many who put themselves before others as we journey through life. Nurses are wonderful.

[¿]

I also have a loving and caring sis...she isn't much older than me as we both are kids of my family...still I feel the most warmth and care while being with her...we have some minor fights often...but at the end we are compelled to hug and sleep with dreams of tomorrow...Well that's may she does cause am own to her...

But am totally surprised sometimes by seeing the care and selfless...yess selflessly our nurse sisters be with us...they've got a family and so have a bonding of caring and spreading love with the outer world!
It's emotionally amazing to read such presents...lovely read!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tahsin. I never fully appreciated my sister while we were little, until we became adults. We often squabbled when sharing the same bedroom. Sisters can be best friends. Nurses are wonderful in my opinion. Always thinking about others before themselves.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Chris , this is such a loving and tender tribute to your dear sister. You describe her so sweetly and even reverently speak of her calling. “A beacon in a world gone mad”- it is clear that you cherish and look up ( or down-(smile) to her. As a fellow nurse, I too salute her and feel sisterhood with her. You are both so fortunate to have each other as sisters through the good and the bad times. I do not have a sister but always wished that I did. This poem truly honors the bond you share.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely words Annette. I am very fortunate as I have two sisters and they are also like best friends. We share a great deal together. I too salute all nurses, I think they do an amazing job, so I saute you too dear Annette for the service you gave in putting others before yourself.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Many thanks dear Chris for I your very kind words and appreciation for nurses.:))

[Coyote Poetry]

Hard always to love family. I have six sisters and I had five brothers. we had hard days and good days. The bad days made us become closer. I enjoyed the poem dear Chris. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.

Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for sharing about your family Coyote. In hard times it is especially good to have family. I can understand it when you say the bad days made you closer. I always appreciate your reviews, so good to see you here.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Chris.

[Riddhi]

Ah..That was indeed a nice piece...Actually now I am becoming jealous of you as I don't have a sister...Haha..I am single child of my parents and so I don't have siblings when here on writers cafe people write something dedicated to there brother or sister , i feel that I should have one..But actually now I have become habituated to it..A lovely tribute to your kind and selfless sister..You both are lucky to have each other in your life..
Keep on writing..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your warm words Riddhi.

Chris