A Friend To None

I spied an old man sip his beer,
his eyes were glazed, full cloudy day.
Oblivious to all around
he didn't hear the raucous sound
of other drinkers loud at play.

I watched him as he raised his glass.
I didn't miss a tear that fell
that trickled down his weathered skin.
I felt another's suffering,
his sadness wrapped me in its spell.

Where was he in his troubled mind?
For sure he wasn't here with us
His shirt was stained, his hair unkempt,
I pondered where his thinking went.
He drank his pain with little fuss.

My thoughts returned to you and I.
The Reaper is a friend to none,
for when you've lost your trusted mate,
you lose your compass and your fate
lies in the stars, your present gone.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

It’s alway sad to lose a mate, and that’s what brought to mind when you saw that man alone shuddering a drinking his own pain….it reminds all of us that someday our fate will come and maybe there is a better place for us than to be “ friend to none”….. and that place will give us all peace of mind….seeing a stranger suffer does bring back memories.
Really good write dear Chis.
Best
B.

[Chris Shaw]

Happy Thursday Betty and thank you so much for your understanding review. Always good to have a visit from you. Appreciated you are.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Chris!

[Neville]

I should imagine most folk with a beating heart will feel the raw truth that both served to inspire and underpins these words Chris .. a very sad poem that reflects life and indeed our individual mortality .. an extraordinarily sensitive, well composed and empathic poem Chris .. and I mean that from the bottom of this aging heart .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Your review Neville warms me. When I am out and about, I do observe my surroundings thoughtfully. I remember watching him as he drank his beer. I wanted to give him a hug. He wouldn’t have noticed me. He was far away in another time and another place.

Chris

[Neville]

and sadly, there are so very many of them.

Neville

[William Michael Reeves]

Interesting form and rhyme pattern. I like it! So often I've observed people and thought of what life has brought, and taken from them. Deep thoughts in your lines. Drinking pain and not missing his tear. Is people watching spying? Or just research for our poetry?

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you muchly Bill. Pleased you liked. Now spying isn:t poetry:)), but hey observation is. Yes, hands up I am an observer of life and emotions. Have a great Thursday.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

You are such a compassionate soul. People watching can make us wonder why a person is as he/she is. Your words are filled with such warm feelings towards a stranger. Perhaps he has lost his spouse. He is drowning his sorrow with a beer. Oblivious to those around him, he stares into space. Chris, this is one of my favorites from you. The character study is great. I could picture him. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Such a nice review Lydi**. Pleased you like this poem. Poor man, the pain in his eyes and facial features, hit home. He was probably grieving.

Chris

[Miss Sharon]

I love this entire post but especially these words...(I felt anothers' suffering, his sadness wrapped me in its spell.) This is a beautiful picture of true compassion. ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sharon. I am so pleased you liked this poem. This poor man was really suffering. His emotions touched mine.

Chris

[Diana]

I enjoyed your depiction of an attempt at escaping a cruel reality, I couldn't help but to notice that you are also a Tennyson fan. "In Memoriam" is a personal favorite of mine.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Diana, I appreciate you stopping by. Yes Tennysin, one of the first poets whose work I was introduced to as a child. All best wishes.

Chris

[JE Falcon]

My mother always said that we go to a better place when we pass on, she never claimed to know what we would find there, but she was sure it was better than where we were. So, when I think of her, I'm sure her faith was rewarded. --- This was a beautiful, emotional, poem of yours. Nicely done, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Falcon. Pleased you liked this poem. I hope too your mum found what she was looking for. I think most of us would like to think there is something better. Who knows?

Chris

[JE Falcon]

Better to think the one than the other, --- me thinks.

[Lathen Griffiths]

I have known a few lovely people in my lifetime who I could picture in your words here Chris, of lives cut short and the gargantuan task that follows of trying to find a way of moving forward and a reason for doing so. A touching piece.

Lathe

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Lathe. You can learn so much about people through using your observational skills. Yes this old man can be found in pubs all over the land. Sad situation.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

That was beautifully written Chris. I was reminded of the poetry of William Wordsworth. He wrote about people he met on his outings. I could see the old man in the bar as I read your poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Shelley, thank you so much for your lovely review. Pleased you picked up on the imagery. I try hard there.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

You're welcome. It reminded me of a poem by William Wordsworth in which he comes upon an old man stirring water at a pond, looking for leeches (in Resolution and Independence).

[Ken Simm.]

Excellent, classic descriptive story poem. I could film this along with a suitable subject and voice over.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Ken for leaving such a thoughtful review. You. Are appreciated.

Chris