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Compartment 114
Compartment 114
Woven By Circumstance

Woven By Circumstance

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

For my friend Nicky who died of ovarian cancer 12 years ago. I survived breast cancer, she died, friends and neighbours for 20 years. Battling together.

"
I wove myself the finest friend,
alike we were in warp and weft.
We worked life's loom but she was doomed
and her demise left me bereft.

One spring the common thread broke loose,
too tough for her, I saw her break.
Yet we had shared our inner fears,
the tears which flowed, the pains and aches.

For neither one of us could bear
to recognize in others eyes
we chose to hide from those we loved
the dread of death found lurking there.

Our friendship was a treasured gem,
since then the years have passed on by
but always when I think of her,
I do so with a heavy sigh.

© 2019 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

A beautiful memorial to another victim of that lottery we barely understand, where fate dooms us to hearing the tick of time as an entirely different thing, a countdown.
Some survive, others dont, but all learn what up to then we take for granted, seeing family grow up and expand, getting to where we want to be in life and a thousand other beautiful moments we fear we won't see again.
It seems at times like those that everything is like a lottery and life is the prize.
I'm sorry you lost a friend, and a goodie by the sounds of it. It does put things into perspective though. Maybe I should stop moaning about the weather and just accept I will forever be pale blue and just get on with it.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Yes I have been in a sled. Not this year, last. Scared me to death, but I did it. Grandson on the .. read more
Lorry

5 Years Ago

Well I never mentioned sprinkles, but go on :)
Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Yeah why not :)



Reviews

an unfortunate reminder of the random aspect of our existence
I lost a young friend at a very early age and I still recall that completely unexpected introduction to the realities of life and death

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you Dave for responding. Yes nothing like losing a friend to make you appreciate the fragility.. read more
My grandma also had cancer and she died a few months ago only. Even though I can't feel in person half the pain she suffered, I still feel guilty of not being able to do anything much. It's a heart touching poem and I am sure that Nicky is now in a much better place and will be thankful for a very good friend like you. All best wishes to you dear Chris

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you Anjeline for your kind words and I am truly sorry for the loss of your Grandma. If you wer.. read more
A moving meditation on mortality here, rhymed nicely in iambic pentameter. There are certain relationships in life that go deeper than the rest, and some of them involve shared experiences. Illness seems to have been the bond in this one. The compensating factor is that they were there for each other. Not all are so fortunate. Well done.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you John. Yes we had a deep connection. I still miss her and it's twelve tears since she died... read more
A beautiful memorial to another victim of that lottery we barely understand, where fate dooms us to hearing the tick of time as an entirely different thing, a countdown.
Some survive, others dont, but all learn what up to then we take for granted, seeing family grow up and expand, getting to where we want to be in life and a thousand other beautiful moments we fear we won't see again.
It seems at times like those that everything is like a lottery and life is the prize.
I'm sorry you lost a friend, and a goodie by the sounds of it. It does put things into perspective though. Maybe I should stop moaning about the weather and just accept I will forever be pale blue and just get on with it.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Yes I have been in a sled. Not this year, last. Scared me to death, but I did it. Grandson on the .. read more
Lorry

5 Years Ago

Well I never mentioned sprinkles, but go on :)
Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Yeah why not :)
Such a poignant poem written in classic style and in tight and splendid form. Sad but I guess we all have tales to tell?

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Just my appreciation of her and what she meant to me. Yes, we all have and live our own story. Thank.. read more
me too... i survived, it must have been very traumatic Chris and no one should ever feel guilty for getting better , i am certain your friend wouldn't want that... ♥

So many people young and with a lot to live for lose the battle :(

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

You too Stella. So many have near misses. Makes you really appreciate the time you have when you los.. read more
Stella Armour

5 Years Ago

I do count and give thanks for my blessings every day Chris .. at my age i have so much to be thankf.. read more
having lost a couple very close friends who died quite young...I feel this...i always seem to be able to relate strongly to your words, Chris.
and often i wonder...why did i survive this long, and they didn't?


Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you Jacob. I suffered from survivor's guilt for quite a few years. I lost five friends to vari.. read more

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18 Reviews
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Added on February 8, 2019
Last Updated on February 8, 2019

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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