Transient Calm

(after the Thames burst its banks)

i give you a fluvial plain on a January day

where a line of fine poplars are ankle deep

following a relentless purge of winter rain

sentinels where the fringe of a field should be

yet i see before me a wide glistening flood

where meadow grass once stood green and lush

this river could not contain its frenzied pique

frothing downstream in a turbulent dance of hell

onwards angry towards estuary and open sea

bursting banks, trespassing on once dry land

leaving in its wake a shimmering glass cold lake

resplendent in its dress of silvery sheen

all gleams silver, bright in light of low sun

an air of calm does effuse a soothing balm

as geese and terns pay homage to the peace

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"bursting banks in anger"
i like the personification....rivers don't like to be battered with what they consider God's tears...
they overflow and damage because they have been riled.
but with the sun and some days...peace comes to them again...they calm...still....almost as in a trance, meditating...
nicely done, Chris....one catch in first line, third stanza...did you mean "contain"?
and love the word "effuse" it's not a word that is used often enough...
maybe just poets make use of it.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Jacob for your encouraging review and also for spotting the typo. Now corrected. Most appreciated.

Chris

[red93]

Fabulous Chris, so evocative, and very visual and filmic. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Katrina Mckeown]

The calm after the storm.. nicely done Chris , your description is so powerfully poetic , tranquility after the storm! Great work Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Katrina. Your thoughts are appreciated. All good wishes.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Katrina. Your thoughts are appreciated. All good wishes.

Chris

[Katrina Mckeown]

You are most welcome Chris is always a pleasure to read :)

[emmajoy]

'... bursting banks, trespassing on once dry land - leaving in its wake a shimmering glass cold lake - resplendent in its dress of silvery sheen '

Every stanza beautiful but whilst my chosen quote highlights the negative, your phrases create a memorable miniature! You really are a true poet, Chris. Sighing before returning to the kitchen.. feeling so relaxed, at peace. Thank you

(Have re-worded some of my previous review)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em. I prefer to focus on the tranquility of the after storm. Destruction isn't in my nature. I'll leave the hat to others to do.

Chris

[emmajoy]

My previous wording needed to be altered.)

[alanwgraham]

This is indeed a soothing balm Chris. The calm after the storm. I think you've done the best thing by just describing, so poetically, the scene with its own beauty. i would doubtless plunge in, wellies first, and decry our role in climate change but your subtle approach is definitely ....more subtle!
Cheers,
ALan

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Alan. I tried to concentrate on the beauty rather than focus on how we got there. Yes, truly the calm after the storm. Appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

These days my hope for humanity to clean up their act is seriously waning I'm on natures side so flood on... if she must! just how many warnings does she need to send for us to wake up:? This year we have had almost no snowfall and what little we got melted immediately the contrast are staggering to me how rapidly things are changing since I was a small boy to now:(

[Chris Shaw]

Have to agree Bunny. It's pretty scary what's happening these days. Never remember our weather being so vicious when I was a child. We have certainly been warned.

Chris

[Laura Kate]

I loved the beautiful imagery in this Chris, and first thought of Mother Nature and how angry she could be at us all for our irresponsible ways on her planet. I’m glad to read that our home found peace and calm, as I hope will always be the case for her. Finally, I made sense of this as
an out poor of emotions, the quiet range and anger of someone whose boundaries are pushed, who cannot contain themselves any longer and who releases themselves from restriction, constriction, and to quiet and still.
Absolutely loved it
Laura

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you LauraKate. So pleased you enjoyed this poem and where it took you. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Dave]

To feel the harsh cold and see the frozen waters going their own way. You paint a portrait of nature gone awry. I agree mankind must seriously pay more heed to the horrible warnings that have been plaguing so many countries around the world. Good, point on - write.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. Always interested to hear your thoughts on my writing. Really appreciate your response. All good wishes.

Chris

[Beccy]

Despite all and everything we have achieved and become, we are so small and helpless before the wrath of nature, The calm is indeed transient, which is why we should fear for our future and climate deniers are fools.

Beccy.

[Chris Shaw]

Couldn't agree with you more Beccy about climate change deniers. Nature can delight and frighten us with her mood. Thank you so much for your visit and your thoughts.

Chris

[keith]

a most believeable write on the power and beauty of moving waters.
I live on the edge of the lowlands and salt marsh that ebb & flow as the tides and weather dictate.

there are swamps and creeks within a good stone's throw as I am at only 9 feet above sea level.
a most enjoyable read … kudos!

[Chris Shaw]

To live near moving water can be a delight as well as a challenge depending on nature's moods. I thank you for your thoughtful review. I appreciate your visit.

Chris