Forever Summer

(Remembering Jen. First Anniversary. The skies lit up that night, 5th November, in a blaze of fireworks. She did it her way)

her infectious smile greets me daily

beaming on my mahogany mantle

where she is free from death's dust

amid a flurry of forget me nots

that match her pale blue eyes

whose sparkle is forever summer

the melancholy of autumn days

followed by winter's wicked freeze

will not diminish her radiance

she of that lucent capacity

could lighten a darkened room,

gloom dissipated in her presence

it lifted like mist concealing a lake

taken away by a bold burnished sun

Jen my dearest childhood friend

remembering you always,

life goes on, though the song of you

remains strong and unforgettable

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... a year has passed... and still your poem
resonates in our heart. My Mom passed in December
about forty-two years ago. Her radiant smile still warms me
when I see her photo on our Mantel above a crackling fire.
Your poem dedicated to your friend is a legacy of gentle grace.
tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, thank you for bringing Jen back to me this morning. So pleased this poem also reminds you of your own mother's radiant smile. That really pleases me. Sending love across the waves.

Chris

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

This is a beautiful homage to your friend. "Where she is free from death's dust" … "whose sparkle is forever summer" … "life goes on through the song of you" … these are my favorite lines.

The last line quoted needs to be corrected - though/through.

It would have been nice to see her picture on your mantle.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Linda Marie for reviewing my anniversary tribute to my friend Jen. I have inserted a comma in the final stanza which I omitted when typing. It reads better that way. I have never been one to post images with my work although I have to say I appreciate those posted by other poets. Always appreciate your visits and your thoughtful reviews are most welcome.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

An unfortunate loss but a wonderful remembrance
I lost a friend when I was quite young
They were Jehovah Witness and would not take him to the hospital
It was quite a shock

[Ted Kniffen]

So many of our friends are gone … physically but not lost … they linger in those little rooms in the back of our minds waiting to step through the door and say hello.

Hello Chris … so good to see you! I think she'd say.

A good write.

[Chris Shaw]

It was so hard to say goodbye. She had struggled with cancer for several years and knew her time was up. Many thanks for visiting this one Ted.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

How beautiful that you still hold so much love for her.

Friends made in childhood are often the ones that also remain close all through the years even if miles separate that bond is still there .

A lovely tribute, thank you for sharing your dear thoughts of her...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your comforting thoughts Stella. She and I were very close. Her loss is still keenly felt.

Chris