On The Far Side Of The Horizon

(from a friend's photograph)

gift me a horizon at days end

where a fireball sun is sinking fast

between silhouettes of scented pine

where my view is divided in two

dark chocolate shadow submerges

all lower ground while on high

swimming in a warm summer sky

runny with orange blossom honey

thickly spread and set

a solitary avian friend soars

a pin prick in a vast ocean expanse

carry my thoughts on feathered wings

as i ponder on the persecuted

in far off lands who no doubt

hear the call of freedom singing

how many stare at the setting sun

elsewhere on our unequal earth

dreaming their chance too will come

where they leave behind family

friends, all they have ever known

to grow in more fruitful soil

Reviews

[willweb]

This was beautiful and had me thinking of the sunsets I have seen here lately, there have been some gorgeous end of day scenes staring me in the face as I drive home from work. However...the final stanza of this thru me off a bit, though I can see some wanting nothing more than to ride off into the sunset but leaving family and friends behind. I guess so, just not me. Love the painting you did here with your words Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks will. When I wrote this I had in mind refugees who will leave everything behind in search of their dream. Could I do it? Never, but many do. Really appreciate your visit to this older poem out for an airing.

[JENNY]

Every sunset at the end of the day brings positivity as it proves that opportunity never ends. Wait for the right time and things gonna be turn in your favour. A nice one Chris . I’ll surely share this to those who lack confidence and believe in life . Thanks for sharing

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Jenny, your review warms me. Thank you so much. Pleased you stopped by.

[JENNY]

Your most welcome Chris

[emmajoygreen]

Chris. your writing has always shown heart and more.. this poem is no exception although for me, it has more than more and yet more. You allude to the wide open air, its content. touch, moods - a freedom to take a small part of it but an essential. Then, dear goodness you continue on and on to what I rhink is those in some kind of captivity, perhaps because of covid or a place without freedom, a place in which life is less than.. theirs. Ok, tearing up. This is poetry.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Em. Indeed I was thinking of people in far off places who also view sunsets but who don’t live with the same freedoms that we often take for granted. Lovely to receive your review and good to have you stop by.

[emmajoygreen]

I saw/heard a tv programme focussed on Ukraines
Zelenskyy last night, heard tragic facts, their complexities and privations. After reviewing your poem I realised that the feeling from that coincided with many of your words and thoughts in your poem. Thank your for sharing more than poetry.

[JessyJacob]

Happy birthday Chris. Have a wonderful day!!!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jessy

[JessyJacob]

You are welcome Chris.

[Soren]

Not only a picturesque depiction of a beautiful sunset but a thoughtfulness of others far away seeing the same sun but under such different circumstances wishing that they too might be so fortunate as to one day be free to see the sun as you do. Wonderful, pensive and philosophically beautiful.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Soren and for your insights here. So pleased you stopped by.

[Ken Simm.]

Got me thinking of the gloamin up here (that we don't have a the moment it being driech mostly) but this lovely poem is about more than that isn't it? Layered like the colours of your sunset.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Ken. Wish I could share my birthday cake with you. My grandkids so very thoughtful. Red velvet with cream and chocolate topping. Coming up :)

[Ken Simm.]

Happy Birthday Chris. And many more.

[red93]

How long have we been saying you must get a Book out C. More Excellent high quality Work today, packed full of stunning imagery ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony. If you were here I’d share my birthday cake with you:) My grandkids are very thoughtful as are you my friend :)

[red93]

Ooh how lovely ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️ xx

[Nima.Hope]

"Gift me a book of poetry,
fulfilled with Chris Shaw's"
I was all imagining, the sinking sun, the dark chocolate and the fruitful soil. The words used here were mostly not available in my vocabulary, so today I learned a lot from you, hats off to you dear Chris.
All the best for you
Nima

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Nima, thank you for your lovely review. Received on my birthday which makes it even sweeter. Most appreciated. Have a good day.

[Nima.Hope]

Happy Birthday dear Chris, I wish you celebrate your 120th birthday beside your dear ones( it's a Persian wish that is usuall in Iran).
Have a lovely day

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so very much :)

[Nima.Hope]

You are always welcome :)

[Dave Brown]

this also has me thinking of the many refuges, especially those who have had their lives shattered by one more contemptable little man, and just recently those who have suffered the devastation of the earthquake
these things constantly remind me of how very fortunate we are

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave for your thoughtful review. We are very fortunate indeed when we look at the plight of others. Pleased you stopped by. If you were here I’d share my birthday cake with you :)

[Dave Brown]

yummy !

[Chris Shaw]

Red velvet with a cream and chocolate topping. Aren’t my grandkids good to me?

[Dave Brown]

drool...................................

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

No matter how dire, there is comfortability in what you know. It takes a lot of strength and courage to leave everything that you know behind. I have been there and done that. Your plant beauty in barren soil. Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Linda.When we have a bad day we just have to think of the misfortune of others to put things into perspective. I appreciate your thoughts.