Afternoon Tea

(support mental health illness)

she sits uneasy, her tormented

expression haunted by ghosts

whose constant calls poke sharps

with their speaking in hurt ears

her once flawless skin now pallid

no sign of expected tears, a light

breeze blowing in unkempt hair,

strands caught in a dark collar

it's been many years since a genuine

smile lit up her once beautiful face,

where a trace of mischief would 

settle on a smattering of freckles

when her laughter spilled into spring

air, chuckling like a waterfall 

trickling down an English wooded 

hillside into a fresh cool stream

her long locks, the colour of ripened 

corn in farmer's fields ready for

harvest, kind eyes resembling liquid

chocolate flecked with gold leaf

and the sound of her voice, runny

like honey on buttered toast, warm

for the tasting, deliciously sweet, so

perfectly lovely, amusing and funny

for a moment i thought i heard the

rustle of her goth silk layered skirt,

sound of jangling assorted jewellery

as she twirled in black lace gloves

..........................................

no sugar for me she said as we 

shivered by the riverside cafe in the

usual signs of winter's cold calling

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh my God, this stanza....

her long locks, the colour of ripened
corn in farmer's fields ready for
harvest, kind eyes resembling liquid
chocolate flecked with gold leaf

all of the description in this....I was there having tea with the two of you, sorry for the intrusion.
But yes, when this happens, and there is only the shell of what once was a vibrant, sharp life.'
This is so sad...and this is one of your very best.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Jacob. You would be welcome to join us for tea anytime. Thank you for such a great review.read moreThanks Jacob. You would be welcome to join us for tea anytime. Thank you for such a great review.

Chris

[iliOZ]

oh i just loved the warmth of love and deep care for that special person in your life.
may i have a caretaker to take care of me once i need one...like you?
i am proud to be your friend

[Chris Shaw]

What a really thoughtful review iliOZ. I am so pleased you picked up on the love I have for her because it is constant and unconditional. Thank you for your visit.

Chris

[AJNJ]

People transform drastically with depression and anxiety. They often become strangers. Its as if that person you once knew has flown away leaving just their shell with you. What can we do to help their troubled spirit? Perhaps, just be there for them without being too intrusive. Offer them understanding and unconditional support. That's all we can really do with mental illness.
You have sketched her beautifully with your gifted pen and the reader feels the sadness in your words, Ms. Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Hers is far more than depression, but you are right regarding the understanding and unconditional support AJ. That will remain a constant. I thank you so much for your valuable contribution to my page. All good wishes.

Chris

[AJNJ]

It is always a pleasure to read your poetry, Ms. Chris.

[emmajoy]

This is filled to the brim with tragedy, Chris, words that rip tears out of the heart. But surely Afternoon Tea is too elegant a description for what's being offered these days Sadness sits at the table - more than likely looking as you suggest so graphically, but the will to stir the tea, to cut the cake is gone, lost. So many people live in and on emptiness. Your poem says it all but there's more: those who don't/can't leave home or can't pay their half of the bill, etc. You've pulled on the heartstrings here.. superbly but ..

[Chris Shaw]

Afternoon tea is trying to bring some normality to what is far from normal. Of course there are others, and there will always be more poems. Thank you Em for your visit. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[Wórdsmíth]

depression is getting accelerated & spread out more like some viruses, esp. during work from home times.. though it shan't be ignored or adaptive but supported & cured.. w/ something that you have just come up with - An Afternoon Tea.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Wordsmith. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Fairy Khan]

Wow. This is by far the best of yours that I have read. So descriptive and vivid that I felt that I was having tea with the two people. I feel the person is suffering from schizophrenia or the likes because there are hallucinations, there is avolition and disorganised behaviour. Mental health really needs to be given preference. It's so sad that it is often neglected in the society and is stigmatized.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fairy. Yes mental health touches us all in some way. I am writing about my beloved daughter who suffers terribly. All good wishes.

Chris

[Fairy Khan]

Oh! I am so sorry, but there's so much hope. Please keep holding on. Today is not forever.

[Vertigo Cat1111]

Wow, this was absolutely amazing... not only did you fit in such descriptive details, and a heartbreaking feeling, but the ending, with the mention of winter? The poem would've been great without that, but that extra detail added so much more to it and made me love it even more.

[Chris Shaw]

Such a thoughtful and welcome review Colacat. Thank you so much for your visit. All good wishes.
read moreSuch a thoughtful and welcome review Colacat. Thank you so much for your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A sadly descriptive piece that had me captured from the start in the scene. Oh how mental illness dulls and drains once bright eyes. Having worked in the field I have seen this all too often and the powerful tranquillisers do not help. A very pertinent and worthy piece Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John for giving these words your consideration.

Chris