One Way Street

some days i sense 

you in a dark tunnel

suffocating in its

skinny middle

seeing a shaft of light

in the far distance

yet resolutely stuck

stuck

like black vinyl on

a sixties turntable that

had a habit of

repeating, repeating

until you give it

a helping hand

or maybe a little flick

to get it back on track

maybe you need neither

maybe you prefer the shade

hiding from the sunlight

that dazzles your eyes

in the quietest moments

when silence of sound is heard

at its loudest your spirit

brushes mine most

that is when i am more

in tune with you than

you would ever think

possible

Reviews

[Vol]

I have a feeling we are all trapped in a constricted tunnel, these days. The incessant noise of the twenty-first century, pandemics, politics, wars in diverse places, global warming, the absence of true art, unhealthy oceans, the overload of plastics everywhere. We thought it was bad when we were hippies and called everything artificial "plastic" and dreamed of returning to nature and the Earth. We never followed through, more's the pity. Ironic isn't it that we now drown in our own refuse? and there is little hope that the light at the end of the tunnel is a flashlight with weak batteries. Yes, I'd say you are very much in tune.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Vol for sharing your thoughts here. I certainly see the world in a different light to the way I did twenty years ago and for sure there are far more stuck in that dark tunnel looking for a way out than I can remember. All the best to you.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

I would like to be associated with the words of the above superb writer. Gorgeous.

[Chris Shaw]

Ken, thank you so much for your warm words. All the best.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Good morning Chris,
Boy, there are so many interpretations to be had with this magical poem of yours.
For me your last two stanza says it all...because I understand them loud and clear...connection and lack of connection...
Who knows, maybe I am way off...
Lisa, yes...still in Spain

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Lisa, many thanks for checking this old poem out and for sharing your thoughts. I hope you have fully recovered from your breaks and that life is treating you well. Good you stopped by. I will check your latest work out later today when I have more time. All the best and have a happy Monday in lovely Spain.

Chris

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome dear Chris...
Lisa

[Akinlolu]

Hmm. The silence of sounds is heard. Your poems always have a calming effect. The empathy here is prevalent and I'm not surprised at the hinted intersection of spirits. "your spirit
brushes mine most"
A gentle and beautiful write up.
Akinlolu

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Akinlolu. Pleased you stopped by to share your thoughts on this older poem. Have a good week.

Chris

[Akinlolu]

Thank you. I immensely enjoyed reading your poem

[red93]

Fabulous Chris - yr Free Verse is really starting to take off as your own voice comes thru. Love the 60s reference and the old Vinyl. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony for your positive review. Be sure to have a great Sunday. All the best.

read moreThank you Tony for your positive review. Be sure to have a great Sunday. All the best.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

Play it again, even in the Rain.. Turn turn… soft and calm… deeply, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, giving this one a whirl on the forum again. Thank you for stopping by.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

Long playing Records of the Strauss Waltzes of the Blue Danube in 🇭🇺 Hungary where my Ancestors danced … Be blessed…. Pat

[Sami Khalil]

There is a nostalgic beauty and romantic references, magically playing on vinyl and real, past moments.
Love it!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sami, thrilled you liked this older write from the archives. Thank you so much for stopping by.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome Chris!
It keeps the archives alive.

[Chris Shaw]

It does and I like that very much :)

[Sami Khalil]

All true and well articulated.

[Neville]

it seems I have a new favourite Chris Shaw to be sure .. this is proper poetry .. be proud of it .. as indeed,
I am for you.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Neville, thank you for finding this write and your very kind response. I had forgotten the poem. I might just play it again, spin it round on the forum turntable seeing as it is your favourite. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[AJNJ]

Resistance can be so restrictive in a relationship. I think its basic fear of emotional vulnerability that keeps people stuck in that suffocating tunnel. When people love each other yet differ on salient points, silence is the best place to meet.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your interesting perspective. They do say silence is golden. All good wishes Pestonjee from across the pond.

Chris

[AJNJ]

Thanks. You're always welcome Ms. Chris.

[Pete]

i was trapped from the beginning. my favorite part was the tunnel - i could feel myself inside of it (claustrophobic) but there is light visible. am reminded of the song by annie lennox -' here comes the rain again'. sounds like that one way street is not such a bad place to be after all for the writer. sometimes we must travel there and find our way. ending really drives it home. rain only travels in one direction and therein lies the truth and beauty of it. one of my favorites of your's ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Pete, you have just made my day. I was unsure whether to even post. The fact that this poem is one of your favs of mine, has got me smiling. Thank you:)

Chris