Footprints Left in Sand or Snow

Far deeper set than those in sand

which mark a path across a bay,

our dearest will not wash away.

As imprints left in dampened grains

soon fade when fickle tide returns

or when the wind sweeps them astray.

On borrowed time, they can not last.

Compare them to the winter snow

which melts when warmth demands it so.

Yet footprints cast within our hearts

cemented smooth with love and pain,

they are the ones that will remain.

You'll see them in another's smile

or in the tears they gently weep.

Who says we go without a trace,

we stay for those whose love runs deep.

Reviews

[Ardra]

So true Chirs... those prints on the heart.... as we keep moving on....they remain ...and reminds us of the tales of smiles and tears....and reminds us to keep making beautiful memories as life is short....to count the smiles ... loved your sweet poem...

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Ardra thank you for your kind words and your visit. All good wishes

Chris

[Lathen Griffiths]

A lovely poem Chris,

Best wishes

Lathe

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lathe. Hope all is good with you. Have been absent for a while due to bereavement, the loss of my mum earlier this month. All good wishes.

Chris

[Lathen Griffiths]

Im so sorry to hear that Chris, my sincere condolences to you and your family.

Lathe.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lathe.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

This is tender to the heart, and so beautifully written!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Imagination and apologies for late response, due to the recent loss of my mum.
read moreThank you so much Imagination and apologies for late response, due to the recent loss of my mum.

Chris

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

So sorry for your loss, no apology needed, and it was my pleasure to read your poetic work!

[cheyenne s garcia]

how lovely this piece was to read.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Cheyenne. Sorry for the late response, due to bereavement. Will catch up soon.

read moreThank you Cheyenne. Sorry for the late response, due to bereavement. Will catch up soon.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

This runs with the breezes or the tide. And therin lies many of its stregnths. For it truly is a wonderful wistful piece.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ken so much. Please forgive the lateness of my response. My mum died earlier this month and I am trying to deal with my sadness. You take care abd best wishes to you.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

I am so sorry for your loss Chris. Take care my friend.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... my Mom left footprints for me... and I walk in them each day... she passed at age fifty-eight; so I am aging for both of us. Her Sprit sings in the Chimes when the Wind blows... and flowers will burst forth in Spring to Celebrate her Love. She passed two days after Christmas; therefor The Season of Joy is as beautiful as a Mother's Love. Loved ones never leave-- they just Rock along on the Porch or by a Hearth to keep Warm. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dearest Pat, your response brought tears to my eyes. Your mother was taken too soon. How hard that was on you. Your kindness is a blessing to all of us.

Chris

[William Michael Reeves]

What a powerful poem. Well written too as it read in my mind so smooth. And touched me personally too having just lost someone I walked (and rolled) with. We walk in the memories we share and prints of lives shared can't be erased. Good poem Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Bill for your lovely response. Forgive the lateness of my thanks. My mum died earlier this month and I am still trying to deal with the loss. All the best.

Chris

[William Michael Reeves]

Does death really need to be such a part of life? I guess so. And so many of us seem to be in it at the same time. I hope she had a good full life and somewhere in your grief you find some relief.

[Amber Stone]

WOW Chris, this's sooo epic!
got me speechless, Madam :)
i just love it!

with sincere feeling,
Amber

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Amber, thank you so much. Please forgive late response. My mum died earlier this month and I am trying to deal with the loss. All good wishes.

Chris

[Amber Stone]

*Amber sincerely makes a bow to the poem, and hugs the poetess dearly.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you lovely poet :)

[red93]

Ooh I am loving this one Chris - so true and real, and from Love's experience. 'What will survive of us is Love.' - Philip Larkin.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Tony, thank you always for your support. Forgive the lateness of this response. Trying to deal with the loss of my mum earlier this month. All good wishes.

Chris

[red93]

So sorry to hear about your Mum Chris. I will pray for you.

[LJ]

A nice song to the lasting effects of real love. I don't know if you want any 'lit crit' but will suggest, if wanted, that perhaps you see how this looks and reads without any punctuation. I'm not some expert poet, though, I'm just passing along something I learned and experiment with myself. This has its bits of rhyme and meter yet the overall impression is one of lost love and how we always, always remember them. The footprints are there all the time after all.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your response and suggestions are always welcome LJ. Please forgive the lateness of my thanks, due to bereavement. I lost my mum, earlier this month. All good wishes.

Chris

[LJ]

Oh, I'm sorry and hope the sting is a bit better by now, though I know it takes time. All good wishes back to you! LJ

[M. J. Smith]

"We stay for those whose love runs deep..."
Aye. But is it comfort, curse, or both?
In times of need, a smile, a private joke, some piece of advice whispered in their voice... But certain times a black hole of pain threatening to suck us in...
You write the most wonderful things. But today, the past haunts me for some reason. She for whom I keep the rosary was singing in my dreams.
A touching tribute may friend. Truly gifted words. May the Holy Virgin bless your day.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you MJS. I am touched by your continued support. Forgive the lateness of my response. I am trying to deal with the recent loss of my mum, earlier this month. All good wishes.

Chris