Silver Linings

(Sorry the stanza breaks didn't appear. Must be a gliche. This poem was written in four six line stanzas, and a final stanza of three lines)

within the confines of my living room

vibrations from an undiscovered source

caused a plate glass shelf to shift

flip on one side to launch a fine set

of champagne flutes with spiral stems

into orbit

disbelief in my startled eyes

what a racket as they crash landed

on the unsuspecting wood stain

smashed to smithereens

shattered shards of sharpness

spread far and wide

no sticking plaster repair here

a disaster has taken place

my face broken my heart heavy

steps with care to survey the carnage

destruction of wedding gifts

cut glass everywhere

through an undraped window

a curious morning sun peeped in

prisms of rainbow colours danced

delight on left wreckage

turned our room into a disco

of rotating lights, ceiling to floor

softening the disappointment

a silver lining moment

they have a way of doing that

Reviews

[Laura M.Emerson]

This was absolutely lovely, Chris. Rainbows hold a special place in my heart, because you seldom get to see one. For me, they are the ultimate symbol of hope, and for someone who deals with chronic pain and the resulting frequent depression, silver linings like rainbows are powerful reminders of God's sovereign promise of His love for me, as well as for hope, renewal, and peace.

If that truly happened, I'm so sorry that your glasses shattered, Chris. It must have been terrible to watch, particularly since they were cherished wedding gifts. Again, I felt badly about it indeed, but you managed to turn a sad experience into a happy one, even if it was only for a moment. I am grateful for your example, and promise to remember it when I need a pick-me-up on a difficult day.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Laura, thank you so much for your visit and leaving such a beautiful response. I am sorry to learn of your ill health and wish you better times ahead. I also wish you many rainbows, love, peavce and pain free days.

Chris

[Laura M.Emerson]

Thank you so much for your warm wishes, Chris.My pain is much better controlled when it's sunny: unfortunately, it's supposed to rain here all week - Yuck! I hope you have better weather where you are in England! Please message me often - I love getting mail, particularly the electronic kind, because I can answer it without help.Please stay safe and healthy during the remainder of the pandemic.More time to write, but difficult nevertheless. Keep looking for the rainbows!

[AJNJ]

Silver linings and the ability to see them depend on one's outlook and to those lucky, perceptive people who have a better eye for them, they can be so uplifting and life-changing. I really appreciate your fine narration here with some beautiful words thoughtfully placed. Champagne flutes with spiral stems! Must be so pretty and I'd be sorry to see them go and yet the prisms of rainbow colours their wreckage left in their wake did soften your angst and made your loss a bit better. Yet again, It would not be in everyone to appreciate this beauty in adversity. I am learning something from you. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you again for another thoughtful review. My Grandad always told me to look on the bright side of life. Same as Monty Python :)) If I can teach anyone anything then that would be an added bonus. Good to see you here Pestonjee.

Chris

[AJNJ]

My reactions are knee-jerk and I usually get worked up quickly. So people who radiate calm and positivity attract me. You are very welcome :)

[.]

I just wonder what that source of the vibration was, dear Chris? Wherever it came from it must have been strong to create such a calamity! And what a terrible place for it to happen! Precious glassware and plates smashed to smithereens! My mother would have torn her hair out! She covets her glassware like gold. It's wonderful that you saw a silver lining in such a terrible occurrence, I guess that is the best way to bounce back from any unfortunate incidents that life throws our way. Such an original write this one, dear Chris. Somehow the stanza breaking glitch hasnt taken away from your telling of the story. I suppose some new glassware will be on the purchasing horizon if we ever get past this crisis! I enjoyed this one very much! I hope you are staying safe and well! :))

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jamila for your thoughtful response. Not sure what the vibration was that caused this mishap. It could have been a minor tremor. We do on occasions get them over here in the UK, though very infrequently. Sad to see the demise of lovely glassware, but not the end of the world. Sentimental value, far more than cost. We have new flutes, though sadly not the champagne to go with them :)) Keep safe and well my friend.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Chris, you turned a tragedy into a a"silver lining" and was able to see some bright light in the wake of the destruction. Some people cannot do that. do you believe it was a tremor or earthquake??? We will never know, part of the beauty of this poem. LOVELY!!!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty. We never found out what the cause was. It will remain a mystery. I appreciate your visit and your thoughts.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re quite welcome!

[Dave]

Chris that you could find beauty in the calamity of your loss says much about you. I'm sorry for your loss, but glad you are the kind or person you are.

Take carte - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave for your visit. All good wishes on their way to you.

Chris

[gram linski]

this poem was a silver lining, Chris, once again a rainbow brings a smile, did you ever find out the source,

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you gram. No, never found out why this should happen. A complete mystery. All the best.

Chris

[Fairy Khan]

Such an emotional write, but I lovr the optimism with which this ends. You are a wonderful poet, dear friend. You turn simple things to magic.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Fairy, thank you for your lovely review. Most appreciated.

Chris

[Rye]

Such an emotional read, also lovely as well.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Rye for your review. Most appreciated.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Some say there is a good side to everything. There are times, however, when the best you can salvage is a less bad side. This episode appears to be one of those times. The light show might have softened the disaster somewhat, but shattered wedding gifts are a loss indeed. Sincerely hope you don't have poltergeists.
PS: For some reason the site unexpectedly negates the spacings you have carefully arranged. Have had it happen to a number of my pieces. The space between the stanzas can mean everything to the impact of the work.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. I agree spacings are all important. I tried to correct, but couldn't. It has happened before. Yes, the loss of the champagne flutes was hurtful, but that spectacular show of sunlight on glass shards, softened the blow, just a little. The glasses have been replaced and I have the light show as a memory. I appreciate your visit. Take care.

Chris

[Lorry]

Rather apt that it made lots pretty rainbows, perhaps they found it too difficult to clap the nhs, so this was their tribut instead. Or maybe their clapping caused it.
What a shame that you've lost a life treasure, with how many memories of all those milestones achieved, but seeing the brightside amongst frowns is a talent, and you at least have these words to remind you now. That and the empty space they took pride of place in.
I've always found champagne tastes better in a mug anyway 😀
Ps... I could have sworn I commented on this earlier today. Must have logged off before it send. My memory is awful these days.
Pps... I could have sworn I commented on this earlier today. Must have loggedoff before it sent. My memory is awful these days.
Ppps... You get the picture 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Champagne in a mug Lorry:)) Now that is something. This little poem was written a while back before rainbows and the NHS became linked together. The loss of treasures is annoying, but the blow was softened by the display of sunlight on shards.

The loss was annoying but the.... oops, your complaint seems to be catching :))

Take care Lorry.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, there is always a silver lining. I could picture the scene so perfectly because your imagery was intricate. What a shame to lose a gift you held dear...one that surely was from a special someone. Still, seeing that rainbow had to make you smile. Such a lovely outlook to have in any situation in life. Beautifully written, Chris. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lydi** for your understanding review. Yes the loss of the champagne flutes hurt because they were a gift from a close family member. Can't pretend though that the sunlight on shards didn't soften the blow. That display is memorable. Hope all is good with you and yours Lydi**. We are still all in lockdown over this side of the pond. Take care.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

We are still in lockdown as well. One way grocery store aisles and only a certain number of customers allowed in at once time. The world has changed. Stay healthy, Chris. Lydi**