And So It Is

sun shines

regardless of 

grief

each one of us

a leaf waving

on a deciduous tree

not quite 

knowing when our

goodbye will arrive

fleeting

like a rain cloud

passing through

fragile

as a white winged

butterfly

though some

wield a sledge hammer

strike a mighty blow

can change

a river's flow

in waters of history

Reviews

[Neville]

maybe it's just as well we don't know when that moment will arrive .. at least most of us don't .. here though, you have not only reminded us of our own mortality, indeed of all things both animate and inanimate, but you have most importantly captured the very essence of life's fragility .. the fleeting and transitory nature of it ............ having got that off my chest, I must also say it's an honour to be #75 on your impressive list of reviewers .. an amazing achievement and most worthy .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for that lovely review Neville. Pleased you left your mark on this page. It means a lot.read moreThank you for that lovely review Neville. Pleased you left your mark on this page. It means a lot.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

Chris, this poem speaks to the fragility and preciousness of life, and how one random or malicious act can change or end it. You also remind us in the first stanza that "life goes on" with or without us. This is an exceptional poem on the value of perspective and the importance of living each day to its fullest. There's a good lesson in a few well crafted verses.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Robert for your visit and your thoughtful response. All good wishes.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

You’re welcome. Best to you, Chris.

[Ayesha]

A life lesson in the simplest of words. Reminded me of O. Henry's 'The Last Leaf'.
Each one waiting for their turn to fall. And the 'sun shines regardless of grief'. Showing the reality but also instilling hope to change it, drastically. That is how life should be.
Beautiful.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ayesha for your visit. Most grateful for your response. All good wishes.

Chris

[lightsong]

my dear Chris, I wish You to stay as long as possible with us, with health and joy of everyday life, it's really moving to read these well-written gentle poignant words, Your last two verses spoke a bigger message for me, a message to humanity and those who spend their lives with violence, from the leaders (and es this can change life and how it's going) to the normal people, why to waste a beautiful life like that? Love You ❤️️

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Light, thank you for your most kind and thoughtful response. Sending you love and all best wishes.

Chris

[lightsong]

Love and all beautiful things back at You ✨🌸🌷🌸✨

[Chris Shaw]

Smiling at you my friend :))

[lightsong]

we both are :) :)

[John the Baptist]

I really liked the spare wording and the imagery of this one. I find it interesting that the first five verses seem to speak of impermanence, of the fleeting fragility of mankind. The last two verses, however, refer to those rare people who execute mighty deeds and change the course of history. These giants too, though, are as mutable as the rest of us. Puts me in mind of Shelley's "Ozymandias."

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks John, I really appreciate your thoughts here. All good wishes.

Chris

[barleygirl]

This is one of your EVEN more gracefully flowing streams of seductive imagery *more than your usual grace, I mean!* Yesterday a friend posted the worldwide number of deaths from Coronavirus compared to a number of other everyday scourges we live with, without much comments, like our weekly bout with gun violence & mass killings. Your poem speaks to me about how our time will come when our time comes! Just driving on the freeway is about the most deadly thing people do without even considering the danger! Thanks for putting it all into perspective, albeit hidden in a tangle of lovely lyrical vines (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Margie, I like where you went with my words. Always good to get your thoughts. You are appreciated girlie.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

yes indeed ... some do strike a mighty blow for sure ... isn't that something?!! history so full of those people ... many times coming from lowly estates ... blessed with a brilliance that demands a response ... and failure after failure doesn't stop them wielding that heavy hammer ... i love those thoughts, Christine .. inspiring lives ... and i love that you forget not those delicate white winged butterflies ... such frail beauty .. they snatch our attention and dreams ... we flit about with them in the smallest of areas ... content to watch and understand their fragile flights ... so glad i did not miss this one this morning ... "And So It Is" indeed! ;)
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Greetings Mr E. All my best wishes winging their way to you from this side of the pond. I very much like the thoughts you had after reading my poem. Take good care of you.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

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

[Dave Brown]

and the water flows on............

[Chris Shaw]

It does and that is quietly reassuring Dave. Many thanks for reading.

Chris

[Lorry]

And some can't hold on much longer, with arthritic fingers and a fear of heights.
I only hope a strong gust of wind comes along and blows me awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy somewhere warmer. 😀
We neverknow the minute our minutes are up, so fly on the breeze while you can Chris, but do itproperly and make the"wheeeee" sound 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Hanging on for dear life Lorry not ready to go yet but you pause and think when your friends, family and work colleagues depart. Two work colleagues last week and they were both younger, one of them I was very fond of. Came as a shock.

Chris

[Lorry]

Hello again Chris, just came in to read, but had, but did again, and in summation, I concur.
😊 😳 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for reading again Lorry. In the absence of writing new poems, mainly because I am too busy, also because my concentration is like a gnat's lately, I am giving an airing to some of my old stuff. Pleased you stopped by. Since writing this, lost my brother in law to covid. He was younger too. And on that cheerful note I will say byeeeeeeeee........... :)

[Lorry]

Sorry to hear that Chris, truly am. So many souls (4 million+ and counting... Will not be in a rush to go back to footie, or busy shops or...
Let's hope for a safe final and all sing in unison "Please, no penalties!" 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Oh the curse of penalty shoot outs and yes a safe and happy final :)

[Wanda Vergara-Yates]

Wow! And so it is. perfect title for this poem. Felt like a word was missing in second to last verse, but don't know what fix would happen without messing up the flow of the poem. Oh the struggle!

Another great piece.

[Chris Shaw]

Another review from you Wanda, I thank you. Pleased you are enjoying my efforts. That means a great deal to me. All good wishes.

Chris

[Dave]

You strike a sharp chord with this Chris. What lives would we live if we knew when and where it would all come to an end. Its interesting how many of us who write, sooner or later contemplate this aspect of life. I know I have written a few myself.
I hope that all is well with you and yours' - take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Always good to hear your thoughts Dave. Written after finding out two work colleagues had died, and they were both younger than me. Makes you pause and reflect. All's well here my friend and hopefully for you too. Appreciate you.

Chris

[Dave]

I know what you mean. Several years ago a very very good friend of mine, fellow teacher.. We used to kid the children in the lunchroom that we were brothers. They would ask"How come you have different last names?" We would tell them we had different mothers.
On a Friday while on lunchroom duty together we were talking. He mentioned he had a doctors appointment on Monday. Saturday morning the phone rings and my wife answers. She happens to have taught as an aide in his class. On the phone she burst out crying, Cyrus, my friend died Friday evening. He was younger than me and needless to say it was quite a shock. You just never know it will happen.
Take care - Dave