Apron Strings

Apron Strings

A Poem by Chris Shaw

What of those dreams that you once held?
I see no sign of bud or leaf.
No shaft of sunlight filters through,
a coal-black sky with no relief.

Your footprint heavy on my mind
and more so with each passing day.
I sense your purpose lost in space,
I feel you floating far away.

A player on a chequered board,
you take a chance and play the game.
I pray you choose to stay on course,
if not, you've no one else to blame.

I'm here as I will always be,
but you my darling hold the key.

© 2018 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

The sadness and fear, hopes and hopes dashed, as you watch the chick learning to fly with their own steam. There is only so far the strings stretch before they start cutting off the circulation.
Worrying times Chris, but hopefully they will be slow at take off, then soar.
Hopefully, they will learn from the mistakes of others and not fly into too many windows. (because that s**t hurts the first 27 times) :)
Ps...when I typed the word circulation, I thought "thats not a word, did I just make that up."


Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Blob what a weird word Lorry. Not very poetic really is it?Reminds me of Bill and Ben, the flower po.. read more
Lorry

5 Years Ago

I do, and im going to go into teacher mode for a moment (i so rarely get a chance)
Blob a lo.. read more
Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Well you are far more clued up than me Lorry. The creator"s son sounds a bit loopy to me, making a b.. read more



Reviews

Christine - being a parent is probably one of the toughest jobs in the world. We all struggle and do our best, teaching and prodding along with a lot of praying. The day will come, we know, when they will fly away, we hope not too far. Hopeful that the lessons they learned from us will see them through whatever trials and tribulations may assail them. Despite the worst that can happen they should know that we are still there for them.

What a very thoughtful piece of writing.
Take care - Dave

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you so much for your review Dave. Not easy being a parent, so much responsibility :)
read more
Chris, this is a wonderful sonnet that I interpret as your child, after growing up, has left home and you are hoping he steers a steady course. I particularly liked the couplet where you state you will always be available should he need you.

An excellent write and a great read. :-)

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you Tamara. It is about my eldest grandson who has lived with us since he was seven. He wobble.. read more
Tamara Beryl Latham

5 Years Ago

You're welcome, Chris. Well that explains it precisely. I'm elated to know he is now doing nicely... read more
The children who want to fly the nest. And you want to keep them safe and secure. And under your safety net, called love and being a parent. Many parents feel your emotions, Chris. Heartfelt and so dam true. It's not an easy task to be a parent with children or young adults, let alone when they are adults. They still cause you pain and suffering. But they have to learn and stand on their own to feet eventually. And that is the hard bit. Letting go for them. To take that scary step of independence. You still love them deeply and profoundly. But letting them grow in mind and body and spirit. Away from the family nest.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

You have to let them go or they will never learn. We all know that, but saying it doesn't make it ea.. read more
oh how hard it is ...for a parent to untie those strings as well ... the admonition to children traditionally says "let go" .. but i love this second perspective even more as my own cutting loose was long ago .. but even with my children all 30-40s ... i still remain holding my apron stings out should they ever need them ... funny how that goes eh!? your poem particularly speaks to me today as my youngest (33) has had a rough go of things this past year and i told him to "come on down" ... take a break and get some R&R in our wonderful Ozark forests ... so we will have the great joy of sharing T-Day feasting together ;) poem is as always, Chris, strong, recognizable form the gives familiarity and rhyming that is as one speaks .. not trite, no stretching syntax .. all that good stuff ... you have a gift my friend
E.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Einstein Noodle

5 Years Ago

the mother of our children died at the very young age of 30 (a long time ago now) I had our four chi.. read more
Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you for sharing that with me. How proud you must be of what you managed on your own. Raising c.. read more
Einstein Noodle

5 Years Ago

i agree ...there is no "book" on it .... we just do our best ... ;}
Words of unconditional support to a loved one. When we can only stand back and watch their lives unfold. Helpless sometimes at the uncertainty there seems but only able to love and support from a distance. The concluding lines sum it all up wonderfully well. They hold the key.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

They do indeed hold the key. Thank you Divya.

Chris
Ayvid N

5 Years Ago

You are welcome Chris. A pleasure to read you!
Nice work Chris, lovely work. I often wonder how long is a heart string!

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Heart strings can be too long sometimes Andrew :) Thanks for checking this one out.

C.. read more
Not sure for whom you wrote this, but everyone needs to know they have one person in life on whom they can rely. You obviously care for this person and want the best for him/her. Everyone makes choices in life...sometimes not such good ones. Still, if you care enough about that person, you will still be there to pick up the pieces when the need arises. A comforting poem written in such easy flowing lines. Great rhyming. Lydi**

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Many thanks Lydi**. There to pick up the pieces should the need arise.

Chris.
Heart strings is what you are really pulling on here.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

I think you have summed that up well Maxwell :) Thank you for visiting. Hope all is good with you.read more
Thanks once more for sweet --and bittersweet--memories, Chris!I remember when my kids were small; they often pulled at my literal apron strings. I don't know whether some of today's young ladies wear aprons anymore, but if not, their children, I am sure, will be able to find something they can tug at to get their attention. A shirttail? A skirt? A pantleg? It has been the same gesture forever.
Eve's children doubtless gave her fig leaf a pull. Not too hard; just to get her attention.
We help them grow, then let them go... letting them fall when they misstep is the hardest part, but let them fall, we must. If we don't, they will never learn to deal with life's problems. When I see them getting ready to fall, I gently tell them that if (when) they fall, I am here to help them up again. Usually, they are OK on their own, and I stay in the background. At least I don't have to hold my breath, as I did when they were just leaping into the world, all full of themselves and thinking they were indestructible. My "baby" is forty-one now.
A charming poem, as usual!

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you angel from someone who knows exactly what this poem is about. Yes, we have to let them mak.. read more
A very nice moral you're saying. You'll always be there. That's a nice feeling to have- security. I wish I could have that type of security as the person you are referring to.
I enjoyed this poem very much :)

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you Sarah, I hope I will always be able to offer that security for my younger ones.
read more

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Added on November 16, 2018
Last Updated on November 16, 2018

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

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