Aftermath

(With apologies to Byron as one of his poems gave me the idea)

So how will you greet me

when we next meet?

With your arms open wide,

with a kiss on the cheek?

How will you greet me,

I've known you for years?

Will you measure the distance

as you ponder your fears?

How will you greet me,

will you stand back and stare?

Pretend you don't see me,

when you know that I'm there?

How will you greet me

should we meet in the town?

When your sorrow is heavy 

and your spirits are down.

How will I calm you 

when we're standing apart?

When my presence is danger

yet there's love in my heart.

How will you greet me?

How will you greet me?

Reviews

[pinhead07]

Drifting apart and wondering what the person will do when you meet them next, happens quite a lot, I can relate, I’ve been an addict for several years, drifted apart from all of my friends, keep wondering if I should reach out, wondering how they’ll greet me, perhaps they’ve forgotten and moved on, perhaps they’ll welcome me with open arms, anyway, I’m rambling now, this is very nicely written madame :)

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous for your visit to my page. Your thoughts were most welcome. Thank you for sharing. All good wishes.

Chris

[Neville]

.. my guess is you already have more than an inkling .. that's why you penned this delightful little nudge :)

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Well lookey here. This is an oldie you dug up. I would anticipate a very warm greeting. Thank you my friend :)

Chris

[Neville]

.......................... write on :)

[Richard M]

OMGosh, it is as if I'm looking into crystal waters. There's a bell clanging very loudly somewhere in my mind, and this poem brings to mind similar questions and fears inside, in a similar situation of past years. I wonder also of that day and the fallout! Thank you for voicing what I can't. A very vivid write :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Richard. Sorry for my late response. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Richard M]

All good Chris, thank you. A few health issues; appointments, tests, but all is okay and temporary thankfully. A little self-imposed seclusion, but all conjusive to more poetry. Take care dear friend and stay safe.
Richard

[Chris Shaw]

Glad that it is temporary. Take care Richard. Wishing you all good things.

Chris

[Lale]

I read it with a tune. I first thought it's just in my mind, then I re-read it and I realized that there is definitely a tune. A poem so beautiful. You always think about the many scenarios of what would be said or done when meeting, but nothing expected happens. Spontaneity happens.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you picked up on the musicality of this piece. Thank you so much for your lovely review Lale.

Chris

[Papaya]

that's kind of a big question. i imagine there will be such an awkwardness at first.
and it hurts sometimes. because there are people I am dying to hug.

[Chris Shaw]

It will be strange. I am a hugger at heart. I am not going to find the social distancing when it comes to family and friends easy. Thank you Ana.

Chris

[Ayesha]

I cannot stop reading this without a beautiful melody playing in the background in my mind. I am sure Lord Byron too would be creating a tune for these lyrics.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ayesha. Pleased you enjoyed the lyrical aspect of this poem. I do like classical poetry as well as free verse. All good wishes.

Chris

[Ayesha]

good wishes to you too

[Stella Armour]

with a big smile and kind words ... that's how i will greet you knowing that you understand my hugs still surround you in my thoughts (((hugs))).

[Chris Shaw]

What a lovely answer Stella. Yes, the hugs will be in our thoughts even if we can't do them physically :)) Thank you for your visit dear friend.

Chris

[moog-drika]

A situation that we are going to face after meeting people. Never knew that such times will come when we actually have to greet someone in person while measuring distance. Even if we measure it, we don't know how we will interact. The aftermath is certainly going to be very unusual for us. I love how you crafted the piece in a rhyming way. Great!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear moog-drinks, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Yes we live in strange times. I guess we will have to wait to find out how we will react. At the moment I am not venturing out, as we haven't come fully out of lockdown yet. We have just started with baby steps. Keep well my friend.

Chris

[moog-drika]

I don't know why I'm losing hope day by day seeing the number of cases and death everyday. I can just dream of everything getting back to normal with those baby steps. Hope you all stay safe.

[Chris Shaw]

The deaths are just awful. Each one leaving a family in grief. Someone much loved. Don't give up hope but accept this is going to take time. Baby steps at the moment for us. Keep safe.

[Dave Brown]

?..............................

[Chris Shaw]

A question mark because I think many of us are uncertain how things will play out in the future. What a future if we have to continue with social distancing. Thank you Dave.

Chris

[emmajoy]

Such a sincere and honest poem, Chris/. For me, what you say is not from your point of view or emotion, but an empathic step into someone else's emotions and experiences. Think we all know every day is a brick in a wall, we know we're experiencing changes, losses and gains.. and have each to deal with that fact. But coming across others not knowing how to be, what to ask, whether or not a question will hurt or harm is even more of an unknown. You are one of the kindest yet analytical writers in the cafe.. you'll find a way because it's what you do. You instinctively know what and how the reply.. such fine words:

'How will I calm you - when we're standing apart? - When my presence is danger - yet there's love in my heart.' -

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em for your lovely response. We will have to wait and see how the future unfolds. Maybe this social distancing is only a temporary phase, but on the other hand........

Keep well dear Em.

Chris

[emmajoy]

We have hope, trust, hidden strengths and the most wonderful of families and friends.. on earth and above. We'll manage, somehow, dear Chris. Keep safe and more..

[Unspoken poet]

with a smile, sorry just had to say that, This is so good, so poetic as well. I really enjoyed this. Awesome writing...

[Chris Shaw]

How lovely to see you on my page. You are most welcome. Smiles are always good in my books. I appreciate your visit and your thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris