Carving Her Name

restless mind meanders downstream

carried on a distraction of daydreams

listless from lack of natural light

crazy with cravings of river trips

wanting warm sun on shivery skin

longing for Lynch Island's welcome embrace

seeking a new spring in a favoured retreat

where only those with boats can go

where spears of golden sol can strike

crepuscular through leafy green

a spotlight on graceful swans feeding

long necks dipped in deep water

eyes of lovely Loddon lilies shaded

shy beneath each tiny bell shaped cap

her love, busy with a mallet

knocking on a chisel's hard head

chipping into thick bark of rowan

uprooted in winter's wayward storms

fallen across footsteps of their past

there he leaves his mark carved

in dead wood's quiet sadness

Reviews

[Temperance]

Chris, I love your work! Each one of your poems that I have read is like taking a stroll down a country road with no care in the world and feeling warm all over. Sometimes I miss the message because the words themselves are so comforting. Oh, if I could only write like that.... I am so glad I have met you here in the Cafe to be able to enjoy your lovely writing. Thank you for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Temp, thank you for the
review which I found very encouraging. Sometimes there may not be a message. It might just be a string of thoughts or an observational piece. Pleased you enjoy my work. That has made my day.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was easy and beautiful with an underlying sadness and reflection or recollection of how things used to be in comparison to perhaps the way they are today. "fallen across footsteps of their past" and "Mark carved in dead wood's quiet sadness" leave the impression that she mayn't be that impressed with his whittling act of adoration as she once might have been. I enjoyed the read.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Fabian. Just wishing right now we could visit. Sadly not to be. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts about this mind ramble.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Chris this such a heartwarming tale of a return to a special place shared by two, now only one returns, but still feels his mark on this place. Your choice of words is inspiring and the whole poem so poignant and bitter sweet . Lovely write!

[Chris Shaw]

Happy you enjoyed this poem Betty. Really appreciate your continued support. All good wishes.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Beautiful Christine
I love this So well written
Beautiful descriptions

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Julie. Always appreciate your visits. All good wishes.

Chris

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

This was breathtaking... "carried on a distraction of daydreams," let me know this was going to be special. There are so many beautiful lines throughout this piece. One to grow on... outstanding write.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Travis, I thank you for your very encouraging review. I am delighted you enjoyed this read. I was thrilled to see that you added this poem to your favourites. That meant a great deal to me. All good wishes.

Chris

[AJNJ]

I think I have said this before and I must say it again...You have a gift for becoming one with nature, for imbibing all its glory and bringing it to your readers in all its exquisiteness. There are elements of nature so breathtaking, its impossible for the average human mind to be able to translate into words but you do that and you do that seemingly effortlessly. It is a very spiritual connection that you must make to be this good.
Loved the first verse and the plight of today's man highlighted so achingly. Gone are the days of impulsive trips to a nearby stream or the woods. His incarceration comes through. He is banished from the sunlight. The second verse leads to those elusive and magical places where only boats can go. Those swans with their long necks dipping in water had me reading them again and again. We don't have Loddon lillies here and that refernce was delightful for me.
The concluding verse held a hint of sadness and reading it I felt a sense of loss for everything out there we are missing out on. "Footsteps of their past" you say. In that you have perhaps summarized the history of man. Is this it? And wher will we go from here? Something to deeply ponder about. Kudos Chris! Quite a journey you took me on.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pestonjee, I am thrilled that my lines took you on that journey. And what a journey it was too. I was delighted to read your thoughts and thank you sincerely for your wonderful review.

Chris

[AJNJ]

Most welcome :) Your latest poems are really great.

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing poem dear Chris.
"where only those with boats can go
where spears of golden sol can strike
crepuscular through leafy green
a spotlight on graceful swans feeding
long necks dipped in deep water
eyes of lovely Loddon lilies shaded
shy beneath each tiny bell shaped cap"
I loved the above lines. You create visions and wonder for the reader. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased Coyote, that my lines can give pleasure to other readers. Your thoughts are always warmly appreciated. Thank you my friend.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear Chris and you are welcome.

[Beccy]

Five short weeks, and though it seems like a lifetime, there is good blended with the bad, A sense of togetherness and growing community, (perhaps something akin to WW11, which lasted for five long years,) and a realisation of what really matters, which I find so well portrayed in your final verse.

Expert opinion aside, which I feel at this time is a combination of science,conjecture and wishful thinking; I am unsure of the ultimate outcome. But for now, I content myself with the thought that the human spirit will remain indomitable.

Beccy.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Beccy. I share your thoughts and I live in hope that there will be more understanding, kindness and unity as a result of all this. Certainly there is quite a community spirit taking hold in my area throughout this. I just hope it lasts beyond the pandemic. Always appreciate your reviews. Keep safe my friend.

Chris

[.]

This sure reads like a sigh of longing for our carefree days before this crisis took hold. It has brutally made us see what we have taken for granted in many ways. There is nothing worse than being in such a state of restlessness as you have described, where every little detail of longing is magnified and where we will do anything possible to occupy our mind. I am sure those carefree days shall return but how long that will take is very much beyond our control. At least we have our daydreams to take us away from it all, however briefly that may be. Your poem is relatable for us all, dear Chris. I certainly believe there will be a massive surge in travel once this crisis comes to pass! Lovely writing, here. Stay safe and well. :))

[Chris Shaw]

I am happy to dream away Jamila, sincerely in the hope that all of this is just temporary and before we know it normal service will resume. Somehow though, that normal service is probably going to take a while and we have more hurdles to jump over. Really appreciate your thoughtful reviews.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Life surely has changed over the past couple months. We wonder if it will ever return to the way it was...and should it? Footsteps of our past can lead us into a brighter future. Even though there is a much darkness in this write, I feel it has a hopefulness to it that is lovely. Your poetry is always a pleasure to read, Chris. Lydi*

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lydi*. You always leave me such encouraging reviews. So very much appreciated. Take good care of yourself in these troubled times.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

You do the same, Chris. Lydi**

[Weeping willow]

So beautiful are these words as they paint images across my mind. Love it ;-]

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Weeping willow. So pleased you enjoyed these lines. All good wishes.

Chris