As The Half Light Further Fades

creative thinking near the river

As the half light further fades

and shades of night turn darker still,

the waves that dance to evening's song

care not for all the planet's ills.

For they'll meander where they will

and stretch beyond the reach in sight.

They do not fret when sunset comes

or if the wind whips up a fight.

They do not feel as some may feel,

they do not hear as doom draws near,

but in their own uniqueness play

at lap, lap, lap upon the banks.

Aloof cold-hearted they don't see

the misery on passing by.

They do not see the misted eyes

of those whose souls absorb the guilt

of all that's brutal in this world,

the stain that slays humanity.

Reviews

[Zoe Richardson]

I love the darker tone to this poem. Nature is cruel, even in all its beauty. People forget this in their haste to assign it virtue. I love the beauty and peace nature provides but I never forget its fury and darkness. Thank you for the lovely juxtaposition!

[Chris Shaw]

And I thank you Zoe for your thoughts on one of my first postings four years ago. I appreciate you.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

The "stain that slays humanity". I like that. I blame greed for most of it, greed for money or power or control over others. But at least the waves can still frolic around the banks in absolute oblivion, for now.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian. Nature can take our minds off the horrible stuff in life. This is an old poem so I thank you for letting it breathe again.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

It's a good piece. I enjoyed it.

[Neville]

say it like it is why don'tcha .. and where better to say it, than down there by the river a truth well poemed :)

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

I'd forgotten this one Neville, so thank you again for reading some of my older writes and letting them breathe. Their mum is delighted :)

[sette]

there are those who choose not to care about other people, they are happy in their own created worlds but then there will be a time for the realization to come that not all good things are there to last.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you sette. How right you are, nothing lasts forever and that includes good things as well.
read moreThank you sette. How right you are, nothing lasts forever and that includes good things as well.

Chris

[Great Aunt Astri]

Rivers are both soothing and energising. Your poem has both a sense of peace, and a feel of vitality. But of course there is always the 'stain that slays humanity'.. I enjoyed reading this poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Astri. I appreciate your visit

Chris

[Lorry]

This piece to me lets you be the viewr in the dimming light, perspectives change, as well as our moods and ability to see parts of the bigger picture in greater detail. Perhaps it is the cooling breeze cooling a day of sunshine, bringing calm to the hectic, that makes us appreciate the enormity of what goes on around us all the time, that we are perhaps too busy or stressed usually to see.
The river goes its own way, slowly slicing a path through whatever stands in its way.
I like how this is like a snapshot, captured in great detail, wjen we can really connect to moments that are so small, yet feel like the most connected we can ever feel, after a long and lazy sun filled day.
Lets hope for plenty more of them to come :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lorry. In those quiet moments, I feel more connected to the bigger picture, particularly surrounded by tranquility.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Real words and thoughts shared dear Chris. Few people want to know or see the truth.
"of all that's brutal in this world,
the stain that slays humanity."
World keep falling apart. People are learning to accept. Thank you for sharing the powerful and worthwhile poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote. In those quiet, tranquil moments, your eyes become opened to the much wider picture. We live in a brutal world.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Chris. I hope we become kinder and wiser. you are welcome.

[Island Hippy]

Aloha Christine, I enjoyed reading this, lovely easy flow and though there is dusting of darkness your words are wonderfully soulful. Mahalo, Izzy.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Izzy, pleased to meet you, and thank you for your lovely response. Indeed a dusting of darkness, a fine way to put it. In those quiet moments, as the light descends, I find I am more connected to the wider picture.

Chris

[Island Hippy]

Lovely to meet you too, I’ve seen you pop up through my feed often and thought I should have a geeze 🙂 Love what you say about connectivity. Mahalo.

[Stella Armour]

Well i am one of those fortunate people who finds twilight the easiest time of the day, a time to let the universe take over and calm my thoughts.
For so many as darkness falls they are not comforted, darkness brings demons and pain ...the dying light for many does not bring sleep to heal but anguish to dread.

[Chris Shaw]

I have never been good with the fading light. My mind starts to wander to places I don't want to go. Thank you Stella.

[Stella Armour]

Really!
i love twilight, it has inspired a lot of my poems