Conversing with Blake

Conversing with Blake

A Poem by Chris Shaw

It is a known fact
that as he stood admiring
a fine skyline of the city of London,
in all its breathtaking splendour,
Blake conversed with the sun
from atop Primrose Hill.

Content I would have been,
if he'd sat with me, upon this bench
hewn out of a fallen tree,
strategically placed to appreciate
the quiet slopes of our valley.

Sweeping from feet to depths below
while the glow of sol burnishes
where meadow hay once danced.
Now cut back, rolled, perfectly baled
to bake in warm sunlight.

Like ink blots on yellowed parchment,
crows in random rows,
in their black coats and tails
pause in golden stubble,
resembling musical notes
on a composer's manuscript.

I am singing, I am singing.

© 2019 Chris Shaw


My Review

Would you like to review this Poem?
Login | Register




Featured Review

I wish he could have stood with me….atop….and the the loveliest images begin to appear before our eyes, the hills, valleys, farms, the crows all dressed in their black suits “ resembling musical notes”… on and on with magical imagery… so we’ll done Chris.
Best,
B.


Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Thank you Betty for visiting this old poem out for an airing. You are appreciated.

Ch.. read more
Betty Hermelee

3 Years Ago

My pleasure Chris😊



Reviews

So you should be dear Chris. What a beautiful poem. It would make us all sing, especially with your pictorial manuscript. Blake would have joined you I am sure.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Your lovely review is very much appreciated Marie-Louise. Thank you so much.

Chris
Pure poetry elegantly portrayed.
You consistently create high quality verse, Chris.
It is a great pleasure to read your work.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Thank you Jimmy for your praise and your very encouraging review. Helps no end.

Chris
dear Christine... your poem has subtle enuendis of life’s symphony as composed with lament for the loss of Meadows sweet with primrose and Clover. It is reminiscent of the Birds that gather in the flat railing in the deck outside of my large kitchen window. I daily leave oiled Sunflower seed and shell peanuts. The Crows devour the seeds and fly away with 🥜 Peanuts. The bright Red Cardinals and their pale brown gray mates bring their young fledglings and eat the remains left. Other birds join them such as Miyrning Doves and chickadees in season. The Urban view is broken with skyscrapers. Love the musical black Ink Ravens overtures on Parchment. truly, Pat

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Dear Pat your response is incredibly poetic. A delight to read and I thank you. All good wishes.
read more
The images here are great . . . reminds me much of upstate NY where we lived for many years . . . sitting atop arcadian hills with a view of mowed fields now spotted with giant rolls of hay. Think I will post one of my poems regarding this. The similies are splendid: "Like inkblots . . . parchment"; "resembling musical notes" (Tho I must say North American crows are not very musical). The last line is wonderful and expresses real joy. Congratulations.
T

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Pleased you enjoyed this one Tom. Good my lines brought some memories back to you. Look forward to s.. read more
I used to be afraid of poems that refer to classic poets becuz I have no background in the arts, so I don't pick up on hidden nuances. Yesterday I read "Emily Re-imagined" by R.E. Ray . . . his poem & this one of yours have banished my aversion to this trend for writing about classic poets at the cafe! Both poems are great in many of the same ways. I love that there's no need to be knowledgeable about a classic poet to become very immersed in the scene & the sensations you are conveying here. You supply everything that's needed. My literary inadequacies mean nothing! Yeah! This is how it's done to sparkle for those knowledgeable or not! I was very much immersed in your word-painted scene! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

So please you enjoyed Margie and that your fear about the classical poets has gone. I may have read .. read more
immaculate! i fell in love with this wonderful write Chris! I wish to go to London one day... I've always wanted to. :))
-Shoshana

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

So pleased you enjoyed my efforts here Shoshana. I am smiling from ear to ear. Thank you.
read more
A Londoner born and bred, Blake would have both enjoyed and admired this poem. It's very evocative and carries echoes of his time; how London would have looked before it became little more than a smog filled car park.

T.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I am a Londoner too and have stood atop Primrose Hill m.. read more
Blake would have loved the evocative beauty of this as do I, awesome poem, Chris, loved the random crows as musical notes

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Really appreciate such an encouraging review gram. Thank you :)

Chris
That is a splendorous song sung sweet in a scenery of senses:) lovely lovely lovely Chris

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you Bunny, pleased you heard the music, but then I knew you would.

Chris
That was wonderful. You have a very elegant and well-developed pen. Nice place to hang out in ... this poem:)

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

So pleased you enjoyed the write Pryde. Pleased to meet you and I thank you for your welcome visit. .. read more
Pryde Foltz

5 Years Ago

Thank you, Chris:)

Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Request Read Request
Add to Library My Library
Subscribe Subscribe


Stats

1329 Views
52 Reviews
Rating
Shelved in 3 Libraries
Added on September 30, 2019
Last Updated on September 30, 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..

Writing
Fragile Fragile

A Poem by Chris Shaw



Related Writing

People who liked this story also liked..