Escape

do not fret
as darkness comes
catch the cool air
beneath a barn owl's
wings

rising in flight
from a bare branch
bewitched by moonshine
in a forest of
silvered slow motion

an apparition
of white wonder
gliding against the backdrop
of an ink black sky
pitted with sequins

carry me with you
night bird

Reviews

[Crowley]

Only under the cover of night is this type of escape possible. The possibility of everything grows in the dark, good or bad, the escape requires the cover before the light of day shrinks it to man size bits made out or our agreed upon realities. Great writing Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Hey, hi Crowley. An old poem out for an airing. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. All the best to you.

Chris

[Kelly Scheppers]

"gliding against the backdrop
of an ink black sky
pitted with sequins..."

Wow, a little chill on an autumn day that goes straight through to your soul. How exquisitely penned, Chris. It's as beautiful as it is mesmeric. I love it! And may I add your avatar is fabulous, too! My best, Kelly.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your encouraging review Kelly and for noticing the change in avatar. Sending all best wishes across the pond.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

A poem with a calm feeling. I like the ending: "carry me with you night bird". BTW, did you change your profile picture? Your hair looks different.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Shelley. Yes. Had a haircut. First in two years and the natural gray has grown through. No highlights now. Thanks for noticing. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

It looks good. You have a good weekend too.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks:)......

[Vertigo Cat1111]

A haunting piece, perfect for autumn, and though I love owls, there's something rather ominous about them! It's heavily atmospheric and dark, but in a beautiful and adventurous way and the metaphor, 'of an ink-black sky, pitted with sequins', is breathtaking. It feels almost spiritual, as if the owl may be delivering some sort of message in the dead of night. Wonderful piece! I miss reading your pieces and I need to get back on this site more often! Thank you for sharing. (:

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your great review. This poem was written at the beginning of the furst lockdown, in the middle of the night. It reflects very much my low mood at the time. You picked up how I was feeling Colacat. Akwats good to have a visit from you.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

Very atmospheric. Captures the silent flight of the ghost very well but alludes to so much more also. At least to me.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ken. I appreciate you stopping by. All good wishes.

[Corset]

Beautiful, I could almost feel the cool beneath the Barn Owls wings, so rich in wondrous sensation this one is, as the summer heat is winding off, as we enter into Autumn when during the night the coolness of a forest in all her glory shines through in this one.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Corset, thank you tons for leaving such a lovely and encouraging review. Look after yourself dear poet.

Chris

[lightsong]

re-read this again, still a special and unique one from You dear Chris~

[Chris Shaw]

A very special thank you for a second visit. You are appreciated immensely dear lightsong. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

I love owls. WE need quite a few for our mouse plague over here. A lovely written poem in structure and imagery, a lot more disciplined than my unorthodox style lol. Very neat Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Andrew. I heard about your mouse plague on TV recently. You'd need many owls to sort that problem out. Pleased you checked in. All the best.

Chris

[Suzanne Sonderleigh]

Ethereal…feels as though a spirit is quietly rising in the darkness of the night. Great work!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Suzanne for your visit and thoughts. Welcome to my page.

Chris

[Laz K.]

Maybe it's the title that attracts so many readers, or maybe your name is already a brand of excellence. I came here because of both. "Escape," it seems, is something most everyone dreams of. I know I do. I enjoyed the mood you created here: quiet, dark, mysterious.

[Chris Shaw]

Laz, I thank you for your visit and review. So encouraging for me.

Chris

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

Owls are so amazing! This can inspire beautiful poetry like this one. Short yet volumes of imagery and emotion and movement. Wonderfully explained and expressed, Chris. tyfs

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Cyprian. You are appreciated.