New Day

from the archives, reworked after reading gram's cancer poem

I feared darkness most of all

when I believed I might not survive.

When the elasticated hours of

nightfall stretched with ease 

into death's oblivion.

When morning light

hid behind the silk black skirts

of last night's kiss,

where dreams were left

in limbo.

It's not until your life waivers,

till it wobbles with weakness,

when it becomes compromised

with uncertainty, that clarity

makes her appearance, her eyes

wide open and window cleaned.

When question marks hang

like a noose over your survival,

the simplicity of waking up

to a brand new day breaking,

it starts to dawn on you.

Reveals a whole new meaning

to morning has broken.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what an image..."question marks hang like a noose over your survival"
and the ending had me singing Cat Stevens...
and "dreams left in limbo" i like the religions reference in talking about the disease...and how when we realize we may be dying...we start believing even if we didn't before...or we believe stronger than we ever did...
this is so Good, Chris. and yes, it is poetry! :)
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Jacob. Quite some time ago now, but you don't forget the vulnerability. Pleased you found merit in these words.

Chris

[Carola]

wow what deep writing & great lines, i loved your poem.
although when you experienced this event in your life it's very sobering.
gratefulness usually/ought to surface 'cos your earthly time is not yet up & you have unfinished work to accomplish.
cheerio carola

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Carola for your insight. I appreciate your thoughts and your visit. All good wishes.
read moreMany thanks Carola for your insight. I appreciate your thoughts and your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

Youth rarely deals with these thoughts but as we age, we all seem to get, or get more, involved with the concept of fragility and the various consequences.
Ageing is sobering
A very deepish write

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Dave. Yes age could well bring on this sort of vulnerability as can serious illness. Always good yo have you visit.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Top notch poetry. Every line is well thought and full of wisdom. Introspective and philosophical. The dawning of reality is something not lightly taken and the feelings of fragility is something not discounted. With age comes wisdom.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Sami. Both age and serious illness can bring on these feelings of fragility. Really appreciate your visit abd your thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

All good wishes as well. You are welcome.

[Sami Khalil]

"When morning light
hid behind the silk black skirts
of last night's kiss,
where dreams were left
in limbo."

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

:).................

[Sami Khalil]

"When the elasticated hours of
nightfall stretched with ease
into death's oblivion."

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Sami

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome.

[Mrudula Rani]

Every time someone special disappeared from life I felt like stranded in oblivion for eternity. Accepting demise is impervious and knowledge of its possibilities when follow like shadow life becomes intolerable, infinite sleepless nights and endless perplexities ... when one wades hrough it all only can define the preciousness of life. Chris. A consequential and profound poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mrudula, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts here and for your visit. Always a pleasure to have your valued comments on my page. All good wishes to you.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

Chris, only someone who has come so close to death could write such a poem. I think it would be inappropriate to call this poem good, great, brilliant, or those other words we often use in a review. I find real poetry, the stuff that sticks in my soul, comes from vulnerability, and when it's delivered with such rawness we can't do anything but nod in affirmation and respect.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Robert. I certainly felt vulnerable back then. Always good to hear your thoughts. Many thanks for your very supportive review.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

You're welcome, Chris. My pleasure.

[Lorry]

That clarity, after the storms of chaotic thoughts, spinning almost out of control with fear, worry and panic, is the moment we are most truly alive Chris.
When whatever it is, kicks in and we find clarity of what is most important to us and theres no time left to waste on anything other than that.
If only we ould find such clarity on what really matters, sooner in life...
Powerful piece Chris, on a subject that touches so many, yet is still spoken of in hushed tones.

[Chris Shaw]

I really like your review Lorry. Clarity that comes out of chaos. Oh yes, that is indeed when you become more alive. It's then that you get your priorities in perspective. It certainly makes you look at life in a different way. Thank you for your insights here.

Chris

[Lorry]

Thats why i have coco pops for breakfast every day. You just never know the minute.
Ps... I am aware my priorities are unique, just as they should be. Throw in some gummy bears on special ocassions 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Coco pops eh? Breakfast most important meal of the day. You got your priorities right Lorry. I'm quite partial to chocolate pillows. Never tried gummy bears though. Wot are they?

[Lorry]

Like American jelly babies, but smaller, gummier and bearier too, 😀

[Lorry]

I am such a saddo, but my last reply is still makin me laugh. 😀

[Chris Shaw]

:))......nuffink wrong with that. I mean if you are without company who can show their appreciation, why not do the job for them.

[Lorry]

Yeah, i try not to do that in company but dont always succeed 😀

[wordman]

you don`t fear death until you are looking face to face with it

[Chris Shaw]

There is much truth in those words Ron. Many thanjs for reading and leaving a review.

Chris

[wordman]

you`re welcome

[Einstein Noodle]

powerful closing verse ... smart use of cliche' and old songs ... i feel every bit of this poem Chris .. we better have something beyond ourselves when things fall apart like that ... all the fears, confusion, doubting can never stand before just the smallest bit of Faith ... and how blessed we are for each new day ... invincible youth ... a spectacular sparkler ... but oh how fast they burn out ;) such a brutally honest poem ... i really like it! one can tell you have swum that river

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mr E. Always good to have your thoughts and they are very much appreciated here. Pleased you enjoyed the read.


Chris