When The Bough Breaks

When The Bough Breaks

A Poem by Chris Shaw

my garden gifts me, unwanted
on a grey summer day

grief a blue butterfly
whose fragile frame is broken

i am crushed for wings that will not fly
on the warmth of a golden slumber

or settle on the overhanging spikes
of sweet scented buddleia

i turn to nature to soothe my mind
to find answers where there are none

this is not about me nor you
it is about she who rocks the cradle

for she is unable to grow strength
to slay the everyday of her nemesis.

© 2023 Chris Shaw


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I wrote a poem and song called a Butterfly is rescued , I worked at the national trust , a butterfly was trapped by a window , I put a drinking glass over it , and rescued it , and set it free , I’d captured its beauty , and for how ever long it lived , after , some human would enjoy his or her view of that butterfly
Your poem ,your butterfly is not so lucky , it’s beauty of its prime will not be shared , sadly ,

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

That is great news Stuart. Yes, carry on with the poison. It is working. Just look at how I’ve spe.. read more
Stuart Munro

1 Year Ago

Thanks Chris , haveca Great day
Stuart Munro

1 Year Ago

Morning Chris , Thursday , I spelt have wrong , its easily done , typing on here , have a great day .. read more



Reviews

I wrote a poem and song called a Butterfly is rescued , I worked at the national trust , a butterfly was trapped by a window , I put a drinking glass over it , and rescued it , and set it free , I’d captured its beauty , and for how ever long it lived , after , some human would enjoy his or her view of that butterfly
Your poem ,your butterfly is not so lucky , it’s beauty of its prime will not be shared , sadly ,

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

That is great news Stuart. Yes, carry on with the poison. It is working. Just look at how I’ve spe.. read more
Stuart Munro

1 Year Ago

Thanks Chris , haveca Great day
Stuart Munro

1 Year Ago

Morning Chris , Thursday , I spelt have wrong , its easily done , typing on here , have a great day .. read more
A poem that rings deep chords in me. I loved the beautiful possibilities just if the butterfly had lived. The imagery is wonderful and makes me think of how great is the gift of life and yet nature can be so cruel with no thought of the weak or the powerful. She certainly rocks the cradle till death snatches away that power from her. She is speechless before death indeed. Meanwhile, the heart hurts whenever we pass by the remains of fellow creatures who were once so alive and animated. I have recently lost a dear budgie to night fright and the lifeless butterfly in this poem reminds me of her and of a lifeless kitten I came across recently who was mauled to death by the stray dogs. All we can is pray for them and move on....

Posted 1 Year Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Many thanks DIVYA for your beautiful review. Sorry you have lost your budgie and like you, that life.. read more
Nature can certainly soothe but nature as well can remind us of something we'd just as soon forget or at least move to the back of out mind. A garden can be many things, it can be healing but it can also be frightening, depending on how you see it and on a somber day, the petals and the wings just somehow don't seem as vivid. Nicely done Chris.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

An old poem will out for an airing. Your fine words always very much appreciated. A big thank you.read more
a pensive, cloudy summer day can leave us feeling vulnerable. that sad, blue butterfly will fly again with an influx of good, positive thoughts, perhaps when the sun shines again and that garden drinks it in as well. when or if the branch breaks a different matter. does no good to worry about things that may not happen. grey days have their purpose too ... :)

Posted 1 Year Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thanks Pete. An old poem out for a summer airing. Your words appreciated.

Chris
The death of something so fragile can stand for so many things. Butterflies are helpless. They cannot fight back. I like how you expressed the way this makes you feel. I only have one tiny correction. It should be "she who rocks the cradle." Normally grammar isn't all that important in poetry, but in that particular line it stands out. If you want to leave it as her, I politely suggest making a distinction, such as 'this is about her, the one who rocks the cradle." It's just a suggestion, and not a criticism. If you are happy with the poem the way it is, by all means ignore this!

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you Zoe and for your suggestions on edits. Gratefully received. I appreciate your thoughts. Ha.. read more
This comment has been deleted by the poster.
a grey summer day does not feel good to me; it reflects a certain mood forthcoming. your spirit is broken just like the blue butterfly. Even nature does not calm you, comfort you; it's not about us, but about about someone close to you who is dying or has passed. There is much grief and sadness in this poem. I know you love nature and if that can't console you, then you need to let out all dark emotions, and they will pass.
Heartfelt piece Chris.
Best, B

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Many thanks for your insights here Betty. Your visits always appreciated as you know. Have a wonderf.. read more
I like what's inside.


I can tell what you have to offer.

By all means, ask the difference.

Doll face


Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you for the read.

Chris
I'm guessing this is about Mother Nature. Nature is a refuge, isn't it.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Nature is indeed a refuge Shelley. Thanks for your visit. Hope all is good with you.

.. read more
Shelley Warner

2 Years Ago

All is good with me. Hope the same for you.
Deeply beautiful and really makes you reflect. It’s full of melancholy and wonder and the sadness and helplessness you feel when another loving creature, tinker and weaker than you is crushed or sent to its death far too soon. There’s a slight darkness to this poem that I loved and really fit super well into the lightness of nature. It adds on to the beauty of the poem that the butterfly happened to pass in a garden, at least somewhere comforting. Thank you for sharing!

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you Colacat and for noticing the darkness. I appreciate you checking in to leave me this thoug.. read more
A blue butterfly dies in a beautiful garden and is grieved and remembered by a caring soul.
And the Question that goes unanswered is Why?
Of the 5 W’s, Why? is the one that confounds us most! I think because we humans have the power to think, we need and want answers to everything. Not knowing sparks our curiosity and drives imagination, and these are good things. But not knowing can also stifle us, make us dull and lazy as we surrender to default Answers like, "He works in mysterious ways."
For my money, God does not exist and therefore is not the Answer.
I "think" the answer lies in my first line, somewhere in that beautiful garden, and in a child’s smile, and in countless other places :) I don’t know what the Answer is, but it inspires me to keep Searching ...and maybe, just maybe, that’s the Answer.
Thanks for this, Chris :))


Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank YOU Dylan. Really like the thoughts you shared here after reading this older poem out for a br.. read more

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671 Views
36 Reviews
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Shelved in 5 Libraries
Added on August 16, 2019
Last Updated on June 19, 2023

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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