Against The Odds

Against The Odds

A Poem by Chris Shaw

On Windsor's bank a sapling grows,
straight-backed and graceful light on leaf.
A slender willow yet to weep,
supportive stakes, no sign of grief.

Ten paces to her left resides
a hollowed bole, two metres wide,
where once a mighty willow bowed
and dipped its tresses sweeping green
into the waters cooling flow.

I do not know what fate ordained
or why or how this tree was felled.
Today I heard it call to me.
'Don't fret or grieve for me', it said.
'Look closer at my roots where shoots
will prove I live, I am not dead'.

© 2018 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

Beautifully penned, as always Chris, and I hope you had a nice time over the christmas period...or a drunk one...or both :)
I see a lot of felled trees up here, as well as damaged ones being removed near the canal paths, and it always makes me feel a little sad, in a "got no respect for their elders" kinda way.
I dont know about down your way, but I was surprised to find out that it isnt the normal diseases causing this, like dutch elm, but they are being removed for environmental reasons.They are leeching all the industries of the pasts excesses back into the waterwaus and being replaced by young and unpolluted versions. Sad sight, the young replacing the old. You'll find that out some day :)
Ps...admit it, that was smooth :)

Posted 5 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

That was indeed smooth Lorry. You'll go far :)) Had a good time over the Christmas break. My glass w.. read more
Lorry

5 Years Ago

I heard you all whem n I was crossing the tarmac. Felt like the beatles, until I got tasered for tre.. read more
Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

:) …..…........



Reviews

First off, the title of this poem is already chilling and eye catching! And the beauty, the flow of the words, it’s like the poem captures the wind in itself. The metaphors, the phrases are simply magical. There’s something so dark but free about this piece and the words just seem to all click together. Thanks for sharing this!

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Thank you Colacat for stopping by. Your reviews always thoughtful. Hope you are doing ok. All good w.. read more
A beautiful piece of writing Chris with such a hopeful message. And the way you describe the scene in detail puts me in my mind's eye right there. You truly are a wonderful poet with an artist heart.

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Thank you Carlos for your lovely review. You are appreciated. Thanks for stopping by.

.. read more
Awww, that was a beautiful metaphor for death and life and possibly life after death.

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Many thanks Shelley. You are appreciated. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.

Chris
Shelley Warner

3 Years Ago

You're welcome Chris.
dearest Chris... I am very touched by your experience.
It is true that our family Roots enable us to Carry On...
as a Sapling and beyond. My son Robert's Birthday is September 24--
he will be fifty-one years old. Already, he has spread his Weeping Willow Roots.
When my son Robert was only five years old-- he fell in love with the Weeping Willow Tree.
Your Poem has so much meaning for me. The day will come when a "Storm" will
take me down... but all the Roots will live on and spread.... and So it goes. truly, Pat

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Thanks Pat. We learn from nature. It is so applicable to our own lives. The bole of the weeping wil.. read more
Mother nature works in beautiful and mysterious ways....

Gorgeous poem Chris....

YB

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Thank you for stopping by YB. How true. Mother mature does work on mysterious ways. Take care.
.. read more
A wonderful poem shared dear Chris.
'Don't fret or grieve for me', it said.
'Look closer at my roots where shoots
will prove I live, I am not dead'.
I understand the above lines. Years ago. Thunder killed my tree and now I have three of them now. It is cool and thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Thank you dear Coyote for your lovely review. Have a great day.

Chris
Coyote Poetry

3 Years Ago

Was my pleasure and you are welcome dear Chris.
Graceful trees, lovely imagery. They were always fun to climb when I was a kid. We had one in our parents back yard.

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Thank you Andrew. They are one of my favourite trees, because I love the sweeping movement of their .. read more
I love your description of the sweeping Willow tree. Our neighbor has one and i love to see it
's branches swirling in even the softest of breezes. Immediately outside our back deck, we have a tremendous Spruce. I planted it the year my oldest was born, hence it is Cathy's tree. It was only about three feet tall at the time. Now it is much taller than our two-story colonial home. I'm always delighted with the variety of birds we've seen in it.
Take care Chris, - Dave

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Thank you Dave and for sharing your spruce story. That is endearing. Willows are the most beautiful .. read more
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rew
This is good stuff. " two meters wide '
Brilliant descriptive writing throughout (I'm dead jealous, cos it's that good)
"Today I heard it call to me"
Such sensitivity a priest couldn't hope to attain in a thousand years of piety. And that one line is so, so poetic that I can hear it chime from the church steeples!

A piece of inspired writing which deserves to be part of the collected poetry anthologies to be put in libraries and schools.
There is such a lovely measured beat throughout which exactly matches the sentiment and the words.
Now I'm going to find a corner to weep in, cos it's better than mine, sob.


Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Dear rew, my oh my that is such an encouraging review from you. Given me hope in a dry spell. I have.. read more
rew

3 Years Ago

my ple asure I'm sure Chris
And like life, it goes on - so it is said. I have found many a tree still attempts to grow or grows back oddly when cut down, gives me a nice feeling to see and witness life hold onto stamina - especially knowing the odds are more often than not not in our favour...lovely piece Chris, stay well :)

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Thank you Ruth for another encouraging review. An older poem out for a breath of fresh air. All good.. read more

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Added on December 26, 2018
Last Updated on December 26, 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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