In Sepia Tones

(Great grandparents Lily and George)

From their ancestral blood I come,

their portrait stares straight back at me.

They stand enrobed in finest dress,

a picture of solemnity.

A moment captured for all time,

the day they joined as man and wife,

her arm through his, slim fingers linked

as they prepared to make a life.

His three piece suit, a watch and chain,

the lens portrays the married pair.

Her eyes flash steel, a wide brimmed hat,

a subtle hint of long dark hair.

Then at the fore a satin bow,

embellished with a floral spray,

a matching corsage on her coat,

a keepsake for their wedding day.

The coldness of insipid tones 

belie the warmth of their shared bed,

as thirteen children were conceived

and all were loved and daily fed.

While he a soldier fought abroad,

she ruled the roost and cracked the whip,

he made his way home when he could,

his leave of passage by troop ship.

Their years were tough and money short,

she rented rooms to earn a crust.

Three children died, three went to war,

their faith was strong, they shared a trust.

Accounts of where and how they lived

in public records have been traced,

these are no strangers,they are kin

and ones whom I'd be proud to face.

Now if the state of play reversed

and souls departed could return

to filter through a photograph,

I'm sure they'd think we've much to learn.

White goods have helped to cut down work,

with central heating far less toil,

more food, more clothes and better health,

no doubt they'd think we've all been spoiled.

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Well-done dear Chris! You have captured the inner essence of your grandparents in those stoic sepia photographs so vividly. Each generation back is that much more brave I think. They were made of stronger stuff than we. And all those children- how did those women survive that and struggle as hard as they did? You so skillfully describe the daunting of the day-to-day for them. They were giants. Your perfect poem is a great and fitting tribute, and needed reminder, of this.

[Chris Shaw]

Life must have been so very hard for them Annette. They were giants indeed. Thank you so much for reviewing. All good wishes.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

This is wonderful Chris! what eyes you have and what paintings your portrayals make in my mind.... you are a consummate channeler! The rhythm of your rhyme is a perfect flow and your message echoes personal. you are a joy to read

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Bunny your review has made my Sunday. Thank you so much. Always good to get a review from you.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

i am the proud inheritor of many ancestral pics .. your description for me is spot on .. as in reading i think of them ... how stoic and firm their countenance ... (wanted to say "...starched solemnity in V1 L4) ..what an incredible family with 13 children ... how blessed says i ... i have 16 aunts and uncles and over 70 first cousins .. we are Irish and Scott/Swedes ;) in V5 L5 i think you mean While ... not White ;))))
i especially like the turn of events ... if they only could return and look through present day pics and instagrams ... oh my ... not just spoiled but ruined even ;( ... turnin' in their graves for sure ... thanks for sharing another piece of you Chris! another treasure
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mr E for sharing your ancestry with me. What a huge family you come from. Starched solemnity is wonderful. Where I put white goods, I was referring to fridges, freezers, washing machines and their ilk. White goods, sums up those time saving appliances we now benefit from. We have been spoiled for sure in comparison to how they led their lives back then. It is always a delight for me when you visit. Thank you so much. Love those old photos. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh thank you for clarifying .. duh!

[Chris Shaw]

But your starched solemnity is top notch :))

[duck]

all love to look back. nice poetry and excellent tittle.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you liked the title duck. Those old photos are always sepia. Same as old war footage of the trenches. No colour in their world. Thank you for reading.

Chris

[NotUsinganymore]

Very nice story about grandparents. I wished I knew my grandparents or had some kind of memento of them.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks JungLee. Sad you never knew your grandparents. This poem is actually about my great grandparents, so goes even further back. I did not know them but I have photographs of them.

Chris

[NotUsinganymore]

Very nice. I wish I had pictures of them.

[Sami Khalil]

I love looking at old photos for I feel as if I'm living a still history. In this piece, you have shared treasured facts and conditions and how they toughed it out under those hard conditions. It seems to me they had so much patience and strong wills. I love how you go even into their moods.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami for your visit and very thoughtful response. Times were tough and they had great inner resolve. I also love looking at all the old photographs and imaging what they were really like.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

All wonderful. You are welcome.

[Crowley]

Indeed. Every time I watch a period piece I always turn to my wife and say...It had to have sucked to live during that time...lol. this was a great portrait of the way it was and people were still happy and took care of one another the best way that they could. With thirteen children there should have been plenty of help with the daily work I would think. this reads like a primer for a Netflix or BBC show. I loved it!!!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Crowley and for that lovely compliment. Hard times they lived in.

Chris

[john l smith]

I doubt they would have minded being a bit more spoiled themselves
13 kids!!!
owch!!!
A much different time

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dave. Must have been a hard life. 13 kids ouch indeed.

Chris