When the Glass is Empty

(written following the death of a newly married policeman in our locality, on duty,)

In my thought stream
flows Lissie
for nine days she murmurs
in the corridors of my mind

Water under the bridge
what is done is done

For life screams unfair
strikes out in blind cruelty
cuts with its callous
unkindness

Fairy tale wedding
a month ago
her love in the course of duty
maintaining that thin blue line
taken
by those whose future focused
not on decency, but a life of crime

Redrum says I
because I can't say it as it is
all her dreams wiped out
with her effervescent smile

Lissie
left, bereft
clinging to an album
filled with memories
and crushed hopes

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... the times we now live... has changed our demeanor
to the point of drowning in sorrow for all the Immigrants who truly
need a better Life. Separating the Wheat from the chaff... is difficult.
We will never be Care-free... now that precious lives are at Risk.
Your poetry always touches our inner thoughts. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

How right you are Pat about never being care free. There is always something to concern us and to keep us awake at night. I can't remember when I last had an undisturbed night's sleep. It is so long ago. Sending you love from across the pond.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... I believe Prayer is Powerful... we can still pray that perhaps... it is God's way... although it is difficult to know that innocent people suffer. Be Brave and sleep well... knowing that there are still people who are fighting for Peace and Love in so many ways. It seems impossible to repair the damage; however, there is always Hope. truly, Pat

[andrew mitchell]

A sad tale indeed the repercussions from doing good as the duty of a policeman does little to his family when things go tragic. Meanwhile the perpetrator goes to prison, gets three meals a day, free medical, exercises twice a day, has sex three times a week and gets to read two books a week and still complains about hating jail. Nicely written as always Chris.

[Neville]

How very sad .. I know for a fact, maybe no more than once in a life, when the glass is empty, no matter how much one might want, or wish, or need, and hope, it is impossible to fill again .. Like I said, very sad indeed our Chris .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville. She campaigns now to ensure police killers get what they deserve. Tragic. Three years gone. How she must miss him.

Chris

[Neville]

from what I have read, I would be most surprised if that were not still the case .. N

[Fran Marie]

the glass empty and dreams shattered
these are perilous times that exist in
everyday duties of policemen in modern
society of today; .such a mess, how else can
we say it ..like the redrum line; a poignant
piece here Chris so well expressed in
everyway...

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Fran. Appreciate you stopping by with your thoughtful review.

Chris

[AMMD]

Eloquent and emotive. A first read of your work but a poignant one

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you AMMD for stopping by. Your time is appreciated.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

Not been here for a while and what do I find when I return, a genuinely thought provoking memorial to an act that affected us all greatly. This is at once a very moving tribute and a plea for nothing less than a better more thoughtful society. It shouldn't have to have been written but once it was if affects in many, many ways.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Ken, good to find you checking in. My muse has gone awol so I am giving some of my old poems an airing. Haven't written a poem for a while now. Hope all is OK with you in that lovely part of the world where you reside.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

I've been in hospital in Glasgow having two new knees fitted Chris. So no new work for me for a while. I can just about get down to my studio above the loch now. Thanks for asking however. I hope your muse returns soon.

[andrew mitchell]

Hope you feel better Ken.

[Chris Shaw]

Speedy recovery Ken. Take good care of yourself.

[Ken Simm.]

Thank you very much Chris.

[Laz K.]

The only consolation might be that he is immortalized through art. "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee." (Sonnet 18)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Laz and for leaving such a beautiful quote. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Pete]

wow. just wow. shocking. a decency and respectability in this sombre, touching tribute. life can be cruel and unfair. the perpetrators will answer for their actions on judgement day ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pete. This awful event hit the national headlines a couple of years ago. So many people were moved by this local policeman's callous death, and his widow being left bereft so shortly after their beautiful wedding.

Chris

[Pete]

sick ... :)

[Dylan Macadham]

Life's randomness, sometimes in beauty, sometimes in grief ...
to say life isn't fair doesn't really cut it, does it?
The irreversible tragedy of a frontline hero struck down in her prime by a no-account creep is a special hell for those who loved her.
...Your words, Chris, have done Lissie Honor.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dylan. Lissie is still with us, although struck down by grief. It was her policeman husband, of only one month, while on duty had his life taken. The young perpetrators now all behind bars. Gave this poem an airing but this event took place a couple of years ago and rocked the local community and got huge national coverage. Always appreciate your visits.

Chris