Someone Else's Winter

Why I had a sudden urge
to place a single rose
upon an unkempt grave
of a soul I didn't know,
came as a surprise
even to me.

So strong that tug on
heart strings as I passed by,
I had to stifle a cry
before moving on.

Though not before I left
behind, a part of me
in the shade of a grieving tree
and before I choked
on my own sadness.

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

The depth of emotion in this write is stunning! I have to say that when I visit the graves of loved ones, I often stop at a random stone....one that looks unvisited.....and wonder what sort of life that person had. Who did they leave behind and why is no one ever here to remember? You are such a compassionate soul, Chris. A beauty of a write. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Lydi**, your review is lovely. You do what I do. Ponder on the dead as we pass through. Trying to fathom what their lives may have been like and remembering that in time we all pass. In the overall picture of things we are like dust motes in an ocean sky. All good wishes.

Chris

[Elizabeth R Prichard]

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[R.E. Ray]

Chris, reading your poem brought forth an image, a yellow rose, placed on a gravestone, name faint, weather-eroded on a stone smaller than the others, bound by weeds, obviously not visited. Perhaps that was the blessing, a lone soul you found among all the others, that called you. Your poem suggests something deeper, too, perhaps an unrealized void that a tear needed to fill, if only for a time there. A wonderful work, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Very much like the imagery you saw, apart from the colour of the rose. Appreciate your encouraging review Robert. All the best.

Chris

[gram linski]

lovely, tender stuff yet again the emotion is raw but the sentiment is beautiful, hope you went back with a single rose

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks gram. All the roses went. None for me.

Chris

[Laura Kate]

You are an empathetic soul, I can feel it even in the reviews you write for my poems (a million thanks as always!) you have such understanding and depth for emotions, such consideration for other people. Its really beautiful and your beauty shines through this poem, despite your sadness which , I'd like to use inspiration from another poem of yours I just read, once reached the peak of its storm will be shone upon with new light.
Very best wishes,
Laura

[Chris Shaw]

You have left me a beautiful review LauraKate. I truly appreciate your words and thank you for them.

Chris

[alan peter kelly]

Absolutely sparkling finish...a sunglasses recommend finale...Apex shelf filled with superlatives. Wish I had have written that one.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous alan peter kelly for calling on my page and leaving such an encouraging review. Pleased to meet you.

Chris

[Weeping willow]

Such a beautifully expressed poem, filled with wonderful emotions. Showing compassion to another even in death we need to remember those who once walked before us ;-]

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Weeping willow for your gracious review and continued encouragement.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and that soul has to be rejoicing that someone remembered him or her...and placed that rose...a real caring heart to shed tears and grieve for a stranger.
lovely sentiment in this poem, Chris.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Wouldn't it be luvverly if that soul did rejoice? Graveyards touch me greatly. The silence and the enormity of all those lives now gone. All in one place. Shows us just how small we are in the overall picture of things. Thank you Jacob my good friend.

Chris

[Ted Kniffen]

There is a certain peacefulness to a cemetery ... a place to connect to the past and as a poet I suppose the need is there to draw from those stones what info we can glean to pass on in our words.
Your poem is a good example of doing something out of the ordinary because you were drawn to a particular spot without knowing why. Perhaps a spirit reached out and touched yours for the briefest of moments to say hello.

A good write, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your review Ted. Your thoughts interesting to consider.

Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

Compassion, is a beautiful act that transcends time and asks us all to be just a little more. Beautiful Christine, just beautiful.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Cherrie for your lovely review. Hope all is good with you. More than pleased for your visit.

Chris

[Ardra]

Its true if we have not touched any life in kindness what will be that remains of us in the world...abandoned graves... must be of a lonely soul... its such sweet thing for you to do
I am sure that soul would have smiled

[Chris Shaw]

Hello lovely Ardra, so good to have a visit from you. Thank you and I do hope all is well in your world poet.

Chris

[Ardra]

Thanks for asking Chris... going on :)
(Hugs))

[Chris Shaw]

Takes time :) Sending you a virtual hug too.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

oh man! you have really captured that grieving .. the scene setting and power of the closing in this is so powerful .. a forgotten grave site .. a passerby with empathy for that loneliness and empty feeling of a soul passed on and no one to mourn for .. now visit .. I was completely caught off guard, Christine, by your speakers expression of their own grieving .. so far beyond that of the forgotten grave .. so powerful says i! actually choked me up ... well done! :(((((((((((((((
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Mr E, you are a sweetheart and I thank you for this lovely review. Greetings from across the pond on a chilly morning.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

back at ya! still in the 80s during the days and 60s 70s at night around here ;) lots of green remains .. for another month or two actually .. i forgot to mention what a great title i think you chose .. hooked me it did! ;)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend. I am on crew duties. Getting ready to winterize our boat. I have a warm jacket on and my fingers are numb. We still have much green but the temperature has recently taken a nose dive. Enjoy that wonderful heat. I am green my friend.... but from envy :))

[Einstein Noodle]

(((((((((((((((((C))))))))))))))))))))))

[Chris Shaw]

Feeling warmer already :))

[Einstein Noodle]

we have a pioneer family grave site nearby along the creek .. it has almost have of the stones unmarked and very small .. there are about 20 total markers .. some pre-Civil War .. the small unmarked most likely are children's graves tho they may also mark the "foot" of a grave the position doesn't support that .. it's called Pryor's Cemetery and is that families burial site ...it is unkept but we pull weeds there when we are "pulled" to visit .. i re-read your poem again .. its striking every time .. things to think about, consider, appreciate

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mr E for revisiting and sharing your own story. It really pleases me that you were thinking about my poem after reading it the first time and coming back for a second helping. You pull those weeds because you think as I do. They deserve to be remembered. It was ovely to hear about Pryor's Cemetery. Have a great day my friend.

Chris