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

[Inessa]

There are people who are just very sensitive to the emotional cues of others and have a kind of sixth sense for when someone is suffering in silence and may need a kind ear and gentle word. Your poem tells me you are one of those sympathetic people that observe, listen and help those in need. If so, it is an honourable trait to possess. Everyone has their days of record skipping. A generous poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Inessa for your thoughtful review. Your comments are much appreciated. Have a great day.read moreThank you Inessa for your thoughtful review. Your comments are much appreciated. Have a great day.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

I have to confess to being a shade guy
Not comfortable in the bright light
The record reference is a great one which brings back the frustrations of dealing with them
My wife still has a big pile of 33's
those were real loosey-goosey fun times

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dave. I have been playing the vinyl myself this week. A trip down nostalgia lane. Shade and light, we need both my friend.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, those 33RPMs that would skip incessantly until we nudged the needle a bit. Some people are like that. As they age, they are sort of stuck between this world and the next. Sort of here and then again not here. When the world is quiet, we are able to hear things that are usually out of range. I had to think of " the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily joyfully, playfully watching me" Ah yes, the lyrics of the songs we grew up with seem to apply even more as we age. A bit of a reflective melancholy write, Chris....and it touched me. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lydi**. Some of the lyrics, were amazing. Been playing some vinyl this week. Always good to have your thoughts and a visit. Take care.

Chris

[Lorry]

Well don't tell everyone my hiding place Chris, or they'll all be down here stealing my quiet. 😀
Can understand the need for private space the olderI get, from the exuberance of youth I have slowly went to the darkside... I mean became more introvert and prefer it quiet enough to hear the scratches on the old 45's.
From spending fortunes on concerts, to the thought that I wouldn't go through all that hassle if they paid me. I'd go to a festival, but only if I get a field to myself 😀
For some reason, i now want to listen to the best of Ben E King and the Drifters now. It suits those crackles and slips.
Ps... Always be optimistic, but remember the light at the end of the tunnel may be an oncoming train 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Ha. You kill me. An oncoming train indeed! I have to admit I would rather be in a field at a festival on my own too these days, and that's not just because of Miss Covid. I was like it before. I have been playing the vinyl this week and having a nostalgia trip. Yes, there were one or two irritating crackles, but the sound was crystal clear.

Chris

[Lorry]

I've been practicing for lockdown since 2015.
That light turned out to be a train once too many times 😀

[Chris Shaw]

I'll take your word for that but I have to say, I'm pleased the trains braked in time in your tunnel.

[Lorry]

Me too, but my drycleaner wasn't too happy about it. Something about trousers being a health hazard and something about having to insine... Insinnera... Burn them 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Scuse me while I just press the fresh air spray :)

[emmajoy]

There's more than meets the mind in this, an empathy. a kindness and more, methinks. So many people can choose to be or have/ attain what they do.. others have this or that cruelly inflicted on them and you, not surprisingly, are more aware than the proverbial average bear. Your words gently pat shoulder, take a hand - give heart glow, Chris.. a beautiful gift.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em for your thoughtful review. I have to admit to having to hold the hand of several stuck in that dark tunnel until they were safely out into the light. Hope your Wednesday is an OK day.

Chris

[emmajoy]

I don't doubt that for a single moment, Chris, Take care, keep safe.

[Papaya]

Not everyone is comfortable in the spotlight. For some, they are at their best when in the shade.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right Ana. As long as people feel comfortable with where they are, that's the main thing. It's when I feel sadness, when I pick up on negative vibes, it troubles me they may be struggling. Thank you

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Many of us seem "resolutely stuck."
A thoughtful, complex poem that says a lot, stylishly.
Exceptional work, Lady Christine.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Jimmy for your thoughtful response. All good wishes.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness .. what a surprise, gentle, spiritual romantic turn this takes .. super duper cooper! ;) I use to tape a nickle or quarter on top of the stylus to help prevent such skips, skips ;) ..i think the work with repetition is perfect with the imaging and hesitating feel as I see your speaker watching the one stuck .. what to do .. not do ... and where is this going?? but i so love the turn .... as it becomes all about the woman speaking to her lover ... at least that's how I see it. wonderful first read of the morning for me. later gator!
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mr E. Thank you for this wonderful review. I love where my words took you. Always a treat to have a visit from you. No four leaf clover yet. I didn't find one yesterday:) Will keep looking. Happy Sunday.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ..........................

[jacob erin-cilberto]

love the reference to the turntable, the sixties vinyl...and "
Even in the quietest moments
I wish I knew what I had to do
And even though the sun is shining
Well I feel the rain, here it comes again, dear"

some just feel the rain no matter what...they thrive in it.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you appreciated some of the references. Even in the quietest moments an all time fav. Yes, Yes, Yes.

Many thrive in rain. Just look at how my garden grows and how I love my flowers. We are all flowers in the Creator's garden. We all need nurturing. Many thank yous Jacob.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

What was I thinking. Of course it's Supertramp. Yes, were another great group :)

[Wild Rose]

Mmm The last weeks have been like a tunnel > The end is there; somewhere; but can we reach it; there is no light to aim for
We just go along blindly
Now we are being slowly released >>>> Do I want to go out into this confusing 'New world'

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, this new world is certainly a bit scary isn't it? I can understand where you are coming from. Very slowly does it, that's my motto anyway, and if necessary stop altogether. Pleased you found something in this poem to relate too. Hope you are both well in your isolation Wild Rose. Take care and many thanks for the visit.

Chris