On The Grapevine

(for Tony)

song of old friendships

remembered in the lambent flame

of a scented candle

i call your name

as the blues creep in

too late for the funeral

but not to grieve

farewell my friend

bon voyage

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the blues, the scented candle...for me the sound of the guitar...
the loss of special friends, that starts reminding us of our own mortality...and that we too have a passage booked on that voyage, sooner or later.
and we continue to grieve long after our friends are gone.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

So true Jacob, with another friend passing it does remind us of our own mortality. We all have to make that journey. Rather later than sooner. Thank goodness for memories.

Chris

[johnwick7057]

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[JMichael]

A sad song of loss, Chris. Your blues at his passing are reflected in your words and imagery. Death and grief is a tough part of life. Been there myself and it's never pretty. At the least your words celebrate his life and memory. Poignant work.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased to receive such an encouraging response Picasso. Thank you so much.

Chris

[CMC]

It's beautiful. The section about calling out someone's name too late, it reminds me of how I didn't get to speak at my grandfather's funeral. Thank you for the touching poetry.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Christopher. Sorry you never got to speak at your grandfather's funeral.

[CMC]

It's alright. I've come to terms with most of it because I've had about 7 years to do so. I still do miss him sometimes.

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Remembering the good things..,holding onto special memories...not ever easy saying goidbye🌹🌹

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Kelly for your thoughts and your visit. Hope you are well dear poet.

Chris

[Ted Kniffen]

Losing friends is never good. Losing them and finding out "through the grapevine" is not good at all. And this stinking virus has put us all in the situation of drawing straws to see who gets to go to the service.

I see everyone attributes 'I heard Through the Grapevine" to CCR … their version was a monumental take
on a Marvin Gaye song … 11 minutes of dancing 'til you thought your legs would fall off.

I think Tony would appreciate your tribute … and your lament.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ted. Loved the Marvin Gaye version. That was my era and an all time favourite song. Appreciate your visit and you thoughts.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

The loss of friends we knew for a lifetime brings melancholy reflection. We remember the things we did, the happiness, the camaraderie. We also realize we are in the next lifeboat. Sorry for your loss, Chris....I feel the sadness in this one. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lydi**. A friend I worked with for years. I was shocked to learn of his demise. Too young, gone too soon.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

May his memory be a blessing, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you :)

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... reminds me of Creedence Clearwater Revival lyrics... “ I heard it through the Grapevine”. I have become close to people who have husbands and wives and "loved ones" in dialysis where my husband goes three days a week. They tell me how they met and about their children ... and now with the Corona Virus we are separated and some have died of natural causes for the most part.
Part of their life is embedded in my heart... Your poem is written with compassion. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pat for sharing how you related to my words. I love CCR, but also a big fan of Marvin Gaye. We are living through terrible times with this virus.

Chris

[Roland Petrov]

I'm interested in the title of this lovely send off. It must have something to do with the poem. Can you give me a hint?

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Roland. Sadly I found out about my friend Tony's death on the grapevine. Through a comment in social media, not even in person. He had been a work colleague for many years. I appreciate your interest.

Chris

[Roland Petrov]

You're in Berkshire where I went to primary school (Binfield, close to Bracknell), so now I'm interested in what Grapevine you were on. Ours here in California is notorious and it's north of Los Angeles. It is featured in a CCR song. Were you here at the time? Or is there a Grapevine in England that I don't know about?

[Chris Shaw]

I love CCR but I also liked very much the Marvin Gaye version. Binfield isn't that far away from me. About ten miles.

[Roland Petrov]

It's a small world.

[Chris Shaw]

It is indeed :)

[Fabian G. Franklin]

We are all only wicks in wax, waiting the flutter of our flame until we are extinguished. Here's to remembering the light that each life shines into our dark and lonely places, filling us with hope and courage. May we each so burn for one another.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for those memorable thoughts Fabian. Your visit appreciated.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Has a funereal sound to it, this one. An old friend has passed on, and it appears the speaker was unable to attend the funeral. But the grief is there. As the last lines indicate, this is a last farewell.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John for your understanding. Your visit appreciated.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

a lovely ode to a friend who has passed. even though you couldn't attend the funeral doesn't mean your thoughts and soul were not there. Of course they were, in your kind remembrance and grief you suffer.
I love you images and the brevity of this poem. It says much ,with few words. Fondly, Betty

[Chris Shaw]

You always leave me such thoughtful responses Betty. I tha k you.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

of course Chris, fondly, Betty