Thought Flight

(A poem written for a friend from a photograph)

This tranquil scene you've made your own,

where you can lose yourself in thought,

where river willows bend in breeze,

where trees reach tall to touch the sky

and glassy waters pass on by.

I stood there on the bridge today,

watched graceful swans in pairs glide past.

Though autumn russets will not last

and ochre hues give way to views

of winter and its icy stare.

I felt your presence hover there,

I knew you'd travelled in your dreams.

Whatever season of the year,

this place will bring you peace of mind,

you'll find what you are looking for.

What's more, when seen at dead of night,

when lamplight shoots its amber glow

across the calm and blackened flow,

there's no where else I'd rather be,

there's no where else I need to go.

Reviews

[Tamara Beryl Latham]

Absolutely wonderful, Christine.

Your poem overflows with the peaceful serenity we experience when thinking of friends, lovers or relatives as we stand on a bridge absorbing all nature's treasures.

This was an excellent write and a pleasure to read. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Your comments very generous Tamara, thank you for your visit.

Chris

[Tamara Beryl Latham]

Chris, reading you poem again reminded me of something. Years ago I had "glassine" to describe a glass-like sky and I was told the definition of glassine is tempered paper. Yet, the word is so poetic. I wrote to Merriam-Webster at that time and asked if they could include glassine and an alternate definition of glass-like and still have heard nothing.

Oh well! :)

[Chris Shaw]

Well it was a nice thought on your part, pity they didn't respond. :)

[barleygirl]

Your poem reminds me of the little one-lane bridge that goes over the (now dry) creek down in the ravine below my cabin. I love how your message conveys a nostalgic longing for someone that might be lurking in the shadows of one's life or memories, seeing the sights of nature & feeling this connection. Love this idea: "I felt your presence hover there, I knew you'd travelled in your dreams" - reminds me of the ghost of my best friend (RIP 4 yrs), my angel that accompanies me around here (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Margie, it means much that this poem reminds you of someone so special. Thank you

Chris

[cheyenne summer garcia]

the ending got me. nice
well done
-cheyenne

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you cheyenne. Your visit, most appreciated.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Your poem is a breath of fresh air, Christine. You magically transported us to that bridge and I could almost see the swans gliding in the water! Such a feeling of serenity in this one. Lovely! Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely review Lydi**. Have a good week-end.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

You too, Chris.

[Arriam]

Tell me, Mrs. Shaw, how it is that you manage to so consistently spin not only a vivid, but a truthful piece? Nothing you write is shallow as I imagine it would be with your posting schedule. Do you simply have the world's most well-lived life? It intrigues me.
Arriam

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Arriam. I am not a prolific writer. Many of the poems I post here were written years ago. Well lived life? I have certainly lived and seen much at my age. My fair share of happy and sad, with quite a few losses thrown in. No more, no less. Nothing exceptional. I appreciate very much your visits.

Chris

[Crowley]

Amazing, the set up, the emotion and the flow are absolutely perfect. That last stanza is to die for, the rhyming relaxed and even. This reminds me of other famous poets that I am at a loss to come up with at the moment, but breath taking and beautiful for sure. Loved it!!!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Crowley for your very generous review. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Jibey]

Beautifully crafted, with clever use of rhyme and half-rhyme. You create an atmosphere that goers beyond the scene in your view and homes in on the human presence, the human need. There was a touch of Robert Frost in the last verse... none the worse for that. It was a pleasure me to read you, just in from more work in the garden!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jibey for your thoughtful review. Interesting your mention of Robert Frost. Not a poet that I have paid much attention too. It pleases me that you enjoyed the read. Thank you for your visit.

Chris

[Jibey]

Read the last verse of passing by woods on a snowy night :-)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. I will.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Similarities in the use of repetition, I did see that in the final two lines :))

[alanwgraham]

Very atmospheric Chris. I guess we all have our favourite places that we keep going back to. You have rightly alluded to how they are never the same. It's quite sad when age creeps up and we will never manage to see these places again. But that's life
Regards.
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Alan, I appreciate your visit and your response. Always good to see you here.

read moreThank you Alan, I appreciate your visit and your response. Always good to see you here.

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Chris, your words helped me to step into the picture, see the glassy waters reflecting the sun beams, the graceful swans float in the water under the bridge, lamp lights falling on the dark, silent river. Thank you for painting this serene, surreal, world away from the world, where I could stop and revel for a few moments.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dhara, if I took you out of this world for a couple of minutes where you could take a break and pause, then that makes me happy. Hope all is good with you kitty. :)

Thank you

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Oh yes Chris! Thank you. I’m on a roll today with lots of exciting stuff to do for an upcoming vacation! You have a beautiful day!

[Kelly Scheppers]

You elicit such calm and spirit within your writings, Chris. Who you are really breaks through, making you all the more special to those who are fortunate enough to know you!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Kelly, so happy to read this lovely review from you. Many, many thanks.

Chris

[Robowriter]

I have no ability to even draw yet with these words I feel that I could paint the most beautiful of pictures! Thank you for sharing this!

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased to meet you Robowriter. Many thanks for your visit and your review. Appreciated.

read morePleased to meet you Robowriter. Many thanks for your visit and your review. Appreciated.

Chris