The Book of Us

(one from the archives)

That book of us, is slim it's true,

its hardback cover turquoise blue,

its title bold, its letters gold

and there upon a page inside

in print that's smudged by tears which fell,

the only words I wish to say

and why with pain I walked away.

"I loved you well but I could tell

that butterfly inside of you

had squandered us, had wandered on

with ease it seems and little fuss.

My dear you were the death of us."

Reviews

[lightsong]

Gosh my dear! how with your masterful pen You brought unrequited love alive again. there is love, but there is not equal love, no equal give and take... how much courage it takes one to be firmed and decide to walk away, not only for oneself but also to the other part, to leave them so they can learn and grow. I find real wisdom here dear Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for your thoughtful review lightsong. Pleased to have you stop by.

Chris

[Yellow Butterfly]

Breathtakingly beautiful...we all have 'a book of us' hidden away..... be it...in physical form...in a loft or locked away somewhere out of reach but we know it's still there..in our memories and in our hearts.

This sparked my memories of my own 'The book of us'' for sure.....thank you for sharing Chris ...

YB

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my little flutterby friend. Pleased you enjoyed this old poem out for an airing. All good wishes.

Chris

Chris

[Yellow Butterfly]

Lovely Chris........ you are a great Poetess and look forward to reading more of your work...old and new.. :)

YB

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you, you are generous :)

[Patricia Wedel]

A poignant poem that touches the core
of the Apple after the sweetness is gone.
We need Magic before the stroke of Midnight.
dearly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pat for calling on this oldie. (That's the poem as well as me :) Sending you all good wishes from a stifling hot UK. Not my cup of tea at all. Too hot for me.
Take good care and enjoy your family.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

Whoa… the climate is quite uncomfortable… in many ways. We have States that are literally on Fire. I just bought a lovely group of Zinnias in colors of pink and red— yellow and orange. They were fullly grown in a
Pot that I have placed in the Shade of a large Maple tree. The Hot Sun is scorching the flowers that normally 💗 love Sun. We are keeping Cool, but have insect Bites like never before. I know it is difficult for
the Professional Farmers. The Hens seem to keep Cool in their Hen House when laying Eggs… a Clue to stay in our House and lay around— a bit of Humor will bring a Smile. tenderly, Pat

[Melinda McQueen]

I love this!
Being a book author, this spoke loudly to me.
Nicely done.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Melinda for your visit and your review. You are appreciated.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

A sad tale Chris. Real life is not always fairy tale stuff with happy ending. Life can get messy all too often with tears shed. Your book of us is a metaphorical way of portraying thi s.
Best wishes,
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Alan. You are appreciated. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[.]

Letters in gold... Perhaps one golden days they were written... But if that letters smudged with painful tears then it is better to keep it aside in a shelf. Some books are not meant to read... When love died... Letters in that book appeals no more.... How beautifully you wrote it

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Sima. Appreciate your thoughts on this old poem. Love your reviews.

Chris

[Poetic Beauty]

Sometime we have loves that are but a few short sentences and then there are others that are thick books. Love much like life is full of surprises and changes.

Love this poem about a love that is fluttering in a different direction. This is written with beauty even though it is a short sad tale

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks PB. This may not have been a thick book love, but it covered alot more than a few sentences. I appreciate your thoughts and your kind review.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

This is a beautiful and heartbreaking poem, Chris. Reading it reminded me of a time back in the mid 80s looking at the family scrapbooks my mom had tucked beneath her bed. Old poloroid pictures of all of us was difficult to look at because my parents were divorced a few years by then. Even the pictures revealed how dysfunctional we were and how the scars couldn't be hidden. I pray I never see those books again. Some books go beyond pictures and are images painted within our hearts. In memories as I believe your poem eloquently speaks to. Thank you, Chris, for sharing your art and a bit of you in the words.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Carlos for leaving such a lovely comment. Thank you also for sharing some of your own story. I am sorry that your memories are filled with sadness.

Chris

[Anastasia]

I know how the most seemingly beautiful relationships end in heartbreaks because there was a butterfly inside of one of them and that makes them squander away something priceless for something valueless and killing a part of us forever. So the book though is beautiful and maybe one of its kind with golden letters but its bound to be slim as you said as such love doesn't last long sadly. Thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for this lovely review Sabrina. Your thoughts most appreciated.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

"The Book of What Could Never Be Us."
Because I've experienced so many of them, I do not
like sad endings. But then, who does?
A powerful poem that, once again--and if only a little--breaks my heart.

[Chris Shaw]

Sorry Jimmy, if even for a few seconds I broke your heart. Every now and again I'll write one that puts some perspective and reminds me that I did the right thing. Your title said it all.

Chris