On the Other Side of the Window Glass

(sign of the times)

smudges on clear glass

tiny hands and little lips

kisses for nanny

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

My daughter doesn't have a grandmother or a grandfather. They were all long gone before she arrived. But I can see how this would be trying to those not able to hug their grandchildren. I can't hug mine either but they are over two thousand miles away. We only get to chat on the phone now and then. At least after this situation is resolved, hopefully, we'll all still have each other.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian. I am fortunate as my grandchildren are all in the vicinity. Two of them live with me and the other two are only a couple of miles away. The youngest member of our family was the one offering kisses through the window pane. I can tell you, that was precious. The smudges are still there.

Chris

[LJ]

A lovely haiku! Even though it doesn't specifically name a season or bit of nature, it DOES. By that I mean the children, who become nature and a season themselves. This is very clever and loving. I can see these kids touching, kissing, growing, and I can glimpse a "nanny" who watches. Very nice. Thanks for this poem. It brightens my morning.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you LJ. Pleased this little write brightened your morning. I appreciate your village.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Meaningful imagery.
Sad and heartwarming, at the same time.
Better days are coming, Christine.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Chris

[Roland Petrov]

As cute as it is, it's heartbreaking really. We hope Nanny pulls through, but if she doesn't, her grandchildren on the other side of the glass is as good as it's going to get for her. So many have passed away completely alone. A lovely haiku, Christine, both sad and hopeful at the same time.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Roland, I appreciate your thoughts on my senryu. All good wishes.

Chris

[Roland Petrov]

Given the circumstances, I'm surprised that you're calling it senryu. Yes, I did call it cute, but it's life and death on the other side of the glass. Thanks for the good wishes, and certainly the same to you.

[Ayesha]

This distance does not owe just to the pandemic.I am sorry to say, it is ingrained in the morality of this generation. I myself have sometime or the other been guilty of this offence. But have apologized as soon as I have realized. This beautiful love is to be shared.
Meanwhile let us just hope that all of this gets over soon and we have no more clear glass in between the two generations.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Ayesha, you have an interesting take on my lines. I think it's sad if there are any divides between generations. I too am hoping that the situation with the viris will be resolved quickly. I appreciate your visit and your thoughts.

Chris

[Ayesha]

Thank you for sharing.

[Intothemilkyway]

This poem is so cute . I can imagine this clearly. Such an adorable scenario. Having a grandma is really amazing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you intothemilkyway for your thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris

[Moonie]

This is so beautiful and so sad. Even though this goes well with the current crisis, I also interpret it as how many families experience some level of distance, whether due to living far away from one another or choosing to spend less time together. I shared my room with my sister as a kid, and now we're living in two different continents! The pressure of the modern life is making families smaller now and the idea of an extended family has faded away. Some members are pulling away for a more emancipated life, some are parting mutually due to circumstances, and some are being pushed away.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for sharing how these lines relate to your own personal situation. You must miss your sister a great deal. I am fortunate enough to have both my sisters within easy reach. Always good to have a visit from you Moon's fairest daughter. Take care and keep safe.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Oh this breaks my heart dear Chris. Our grandchildren can't touch us. Our grandchildren can"t touch us! How unreal and too real this all is. Your moving Senryu is perfect both in its form and in the wistfully sad longing it conveys. Grandma behind glass, faux-touching the little fingers. Exquisitely poignant imagery brings tears to my eyes. Bless the little ones and keep them from harm always.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Annette, who would have thought that this would happen in our own lifetime? It's such a sad state of affairs. Let's hope it is not going to continue for much longer. It is lovely to hear from you. Please take good care of yourself. All good wishes.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Same back to you dear friend. Xoxo

[AJNJ]

Made me sad. This is the saddest aspect of this pandemic. It's so hard on old people especially. Grand kids are their lifeline. This is beyond beautifully and very thoughtfully written, Ms. Chris. I hope it gets all right for them soon.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for appreciating how difficult it is for the older generations to be separated from their grandchildren Pestonjee. Let's hope this wretched situation has a solution soon. My best wishes to you.

Chris

[AJNJ]

You are welcome :)

[.]

So poignant, dear Chris! So, so much a sign of the times. I have seen pictures on the news from around the world of families in just this situation; elderly Grandparents unable to hug their Grandchildren because of the virus and reduced to staring behind a glass pane. It's a very sad occurrence and your senryu sums up the feeling completely. Very touching and very true. Much enjoyed! :))

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Jamila for your continued encouragement. We are certainly learning at the moment how many things we took for granted. Even a kiss is out of bounds at the moment. The smudges on my window pane are still there. I can't bring myself to remove them.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Lovely image Chris of the little ones at the moment, i do see mine although i dont go too near the little one always comes to me and i try to limit touching ( no direct kisses). it wont be too long now in relative terms and to most of them it is a game .

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Stella. It all seems so strange. I get sent lots of videos and photos of my g grandson. The other evening, they drove over to us, came through the back gate and waved through the window. It was an opportunity for us to see them and talk again albeit through window glass. The kiss was the icing on the cake, the smudges still there.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

How lovely for you Chris, bet you won't be cleaning that window for some time :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you How right you are Stella :))