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

[Davidgeo]

I'll always be a fan of anyone who can use the word 'crepuscular' intelligently.

One of your best.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. I love that word. Creates wonderful imagery in my mind.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

I bet you like cats. All felines are crepuscular.

[Davidgeo]

(I always spell that word wrong without computer assistance)

[Rye]

eyes of lovely Loddon lilies shaded
shy beneath each tiny bell shaped cap

Not sure what Loddon lily is, but this is a wonderful write Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Rye. Pleased for your thoughts.

Chris

[olla]

all of the above.. and below.. a turning point.. and we who cherish the way it was will tell the stories around the camp fires and over Easter dinners.. but the future is pregnant with possibilities.. and life seem to resurge no matter what.. it's lusty hunger is palatable.. and there will be new stories written.. and yes some of them by us.. your words.. chiseled here on this virtual rowan.. have left a marker so we will not forget..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much olla. Your thoughts are most appreciated. All good wishes.

Chris

[Naj93]

I love your use of alliteration and how the words seamlessly transition! It feels so refreshing reading your poem. It's such a beautiful description with hints of sombre undertones. Thank you for writing it and I look forward to reading more of your work!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Naj93 for your encouragement. Pleased you enjoyed reading my work. You are most welcome and I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Laura M.Emerson]

Every time I read your work, I fall more and more in love with both your poetic style, and your Poet's heart, Chris. You consistently turn out fantastic pieces, and though I know it isn't so, you make it seem practically effortless, you lucky duck, you! Seriously, though, the last time I wrote what I considered to be a halfway decent piece was four years ago, and I've been battling a really nasty case of writer's block ever since. I'd love to know your secret.

Sadly, I agree with you and Lorry - Very much like the aftermath of 9/11 was for us here in the States. we again must face and adjust to a new normal. Only this time, it isn't just one country, it's the whole world. The good news is, that despite our feelings in the present moment, there will be light at the end of the tunnel one day. In the meantime, remember this: we should never long for the past. To do so would leave us standing still. Lessons learned from the past should be used as tools to help people live better lives, but we can only use them properly if we concentrate on moving forward.I firmly believe that as scary, confusing, upsetting, and extremely obnoxiously boring as quarantine can be, we will emerge from it safer, more knowledgeable, healthier, and stronger than before

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your in depth review. Most appreciated. I am delighted you like my poetry Laura.

Chris

[Ruth]

How beautifully delivered! This made me ache for better times, a return to some normality, a walk in the sunlight and a cup of tea in the middle of nowhere next to an Oak tree lol Sorry to ramble but this set my mind into visualising, wonderful piece :)

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased Ruth this poem left you to ramble. That's what we need to do at the moment, let our thoughts wander to happier pastures. Many thanks for your encouraging review.

Chris

[emmajoy]

Your words are a true gift, dear Christine. They're so gentle, so sad, yet so strongly placed as if to stand tall and eternal. There are so many things, places, emotions, missing in life right now.. and it's hard to take, hard to know that we can't alter what is. Life has turned on its head like a crazed spinning top. Until it stops, til it slows, then stops, we ache for the Previous loved and needed. Can only suggest that your poem, which is one of the best. is a gift shared by your readers, as testament to temporarily mislaid whatever on earth. Thank you. Please pass the tissues.

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Em. Pleased to take you with me on my mind meanders. Yes, missing boating at the moment, but that is so insignificant in the overall picture of things. I miss my dear ones far more. Hurts not to see my daughter who suffers from ill health and my mum far away in her nursing home. Then of course my Danny and his new son and my dear sisters. Thank goodness for the telephone. That is a mercy indeed. Thank you for your lovely review and let's hope that this awful period of time will not be pronged. Take care.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

I did mean prolonged, oops with the typos.

[emmajoy]

ProngedIS perhaps what hurts most, Chris, a Freudian stab (prong) in the heart? I miss my sibling and long time friends - what it must be like to be unable to hug children and cuddle little ones must be so very sad. For what its worth, virtual hug from me.. Keep safe and look for those sunbeams, loved ones close and far. xx

[zainul]

Restlessness gave birth to a wonderful poem.I may call it a masterpiece.You brought so many components of nature in the work which will give solace to readers of various backgrounds.Lynch Island and Loddon lilies are some components that enriched my knowledge.
Thank you for enlightening us in the tough time.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear zainul, your beautiful review raised my spirits. Thank you so much for your encouragement. Sending best regards to you.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

What lovely, clever and perceptive lyrics!
The last two lines are a brilliant closing.
One truly impressive piece of work, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Jimmy, you offer such encouragement and I want you to know how much that is appreciated. Thank you for visiting my work.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you take a situation here...our isolation because of the virus...and give us daydreams with such description that we feel we have , at least for a moment, gone outside and explored the countryside.
so visual.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Happy to take you outside for a few moments Jacob. Yes daydreaming. Missing the boating season. Many thank yous.

Chris