Absent Stars

And who has swept the stars away

not one remains in sight?

Too eager with their bristle brush

they've cleaned the sky at night.

So all those clustered gems I love

which give me peace of mind,

are huddled in an unknown place

that torchlight can not find.

A canvas stretches end to end

devoid of silver light.

The moon has left, those sparklers gone

will no one hear my plight?

If I should ask or make a wish

or plead for compromise,

will someone spare two tiny stars

and place them in my eyes?

Reviews

[Soren]

Taken literally, I too miss the stars. I remember when young going to the mountains with no outside light and seeing so many stars, now all gone due to light pollution. But figuratively, I feel that the present has taken the stars from our eyes with its form of light pollution. Nicely done Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Soren. I appreciate the thoughts you have shared here. All the best.

Chris

[Black Jess]

We see the future in the horizon, and the past in stars (when we see a star, we actually see its image from minutes ago). And seeing how watching the stars reminded you of your past and childhood, I liked to make that other point of view.
We often use stars as metaphors to defeat darkness, but it seems as if the light defeated the stars and it is more darker than ever. The lights of modern life, cities and screens, have gradually took over nature and enjoying its element and we became like robots, dead and dark from the inside despite all the lights. Enjoying nature (silent walks, starring at stars, hugging big trees) call them whims, but they are survival elements, energisers, an escape, a way to express gratitude, a source of light.
So, keep holding onto life that existed before tech, when you could watch stars.

Your poem stroke ideas in my mind and I came up with this philosophical point of view, sorry.
Very nice poem, the last two lines... are the best epilogue ever!

[Chris Shaw]

Don’t ever be sorry for leaving wonderful thoughts like you did Black Jess. So pleased that my little poem inspired your thinking. Pleased you stopped by. Have a very happy Saturday.

Chris

[Marie]

Missing the stars and moonlight on a cloudy night is beautifully inked in this very lovely poem.
I love the final two lines of the poem! You are a visionary, dear Chris. With lovely nocturnal imagery you paint a moonless, starless sky very effectively. I like this poem very much and thank you for sharing it, dear poetess. Wishing you a very lovely evening and hope later that you enjoy a beautiful starlit sky by the light of a big silvery moon...

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Marie, thank you so much for giving this old poem an airing. So pleased you found value in it and that you enjoyed your visit. Have a very happy Saturday.

Chris

[Marie]

Thank you, Chris. Wishing you a very Happy Saturday and pleasant weekend too...

[Sharrumkin]

Someone has taken the stars away. I remember African skies shimmering with stars.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sharrumkin. We do not see the stars so often now. Sadly light pollution has blotted them out. I have to travel in to the heart of countryside to get a glimpse. I miss the starlight. Thank you for your review.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris… I love 💗 the ending…. It seems we have not had Stars for quite some time. softly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, please forgive the lateness of my response. Pleased you enjoyed this older write of mine. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[The_Ancient_Rock]

Yes... stars indeed.

Good poetry!

Sharp and cutting edge... right to the point!

;)

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your visit and review. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[The_Ancient_Rock]

You are welcome.

[D. Mansfield]

Wow, this is an awesome piece of work. Now I am thoroughly embarrassed that you have taken the time to read the drivel I write. I just saw the little dipper the other night and I cant remember seeing anything but low altitude satellites, or high altitude drones around here. By the way tonights full moon was a wonderful sight .

[Chris Shaw]

I do not deserve all that praise you have bestowed on me but thank you so much for your visit and comments. We don’t often get a display of starlight, but like you make the most of the moon.

Chris

[red93]

Excellent Work Chris. 'Wish upon a Star'. 'We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the Stars'. Nicely phrased and well put together.

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Tony. Many thanks for your lovely review. Have a great day.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Good morning dear Chris,
I am finally back after over 5 long weeks of being quite ill.
So excited to be reading my favorite poets words.
This one of yours is so clever. Love the whole poem.
The words moved along so easily.
Really good!!
Lisa, now back to reading, and reviewing in Spain

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Lisa fur your review. Happy new year to you. Sorry to hear you have been ill. Hoping by now you are fully recovered. Good to see you are back.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Still dealing with this but I am well enough to be on the computer...finally..
I just posted a new one...a sonnet
Rainbow Ribbons
Lisa, working hard to recover completely

[willweb]

That was really nice Chris, though to lose the stars is a sad thought. But I guess clouds could do that as well and the good thing is, the clouds will eventually disappear, and your beloved stars will be found right where they have always been and if not, I am sure I have a few spare stars sitting around somewhere I would be happy to give to you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your generous review will. An older poem out for an airing.

Chris