After Dark

forgotten in a chipped clay pot

half hidden by composted leaves

beneath bare branches where in march

magnolias make purple blooms

there where all is darkly drear

where recent snowfall left its mark

a cluster of white bashful bells

in wintry coldness huddle close

a sign of growth a sign of life

galanthus flowers mid the rot

rebirth i hear my heart strings sing

Persephone brings news of spring

Reviews

[Helen]

Oh yes, joyful news of Spring! Message perfectly delivered Chris - an enjoyable and heartening read. I always think of snowdrops as being the first flowers of spring, but this year has been strange and I already have flowering primroses, crocuses and lungwort - plus some purple flowers around my front door (not sure of name) but no snowdrops yet!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Helen. Sounds as though your primroses and crocus have given you the lift my snowdrops did for me. We are in the last throes of winter and on the cusp of spring :)

Chris

[Anita Frader]

Always a joyous sign after a long winter. My magnolia bloomed after a warm spell and jolted my heart. Sadly the frost is back.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Anita. Sadly the frost can hurt those magnolia buds after a short lived warm spell. Such beautiful shrubs. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

The art of shadow. The reasons we see anything that interupts space. Light. This is gem like in its purity.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ken for your encouraging and thoughtful review. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Soren]

Spring is always so welcome after winter's grip. Beautifully written and very relatable Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend for another thoughtful review. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Maximus]

Fantastic writing with lots of variety in each lines which clearly describ the joy of spring season. I enjoyed reading it.

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate your thoughtful review Maximus. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Thomas W Case]

Truly superb, the imagery is sublime.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Thomas. I do try to work hard on the imagery in my poems. All the best.

Chris

[Andrew John]

Always love to read your descriptions. This is no exception. (And aren't clay pots always chipped?!)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew for your kind review. Some clay pots are chipped lol. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Neville]

If spring herself could feature a poem .. then she would have this one pinned most prominently and held high, like a banner should be held high, to highlight her entry, awakening and re-birth .. All hail Persephone the bringer of good news indeed .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville for a lovely review. My apologies for a tardy response. I gave alot of catching up to do.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

this looks like just the sort of piece needed to coax along that lagging bit of springtime elation
nothing does it like flowers

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. Hope elusive spring shows her face soon.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

YA man

[barleygirl]

Not familiar with Persephone, but I know exactly the kind of flower you mean, the kind that pops up when everything else in the world is still dreary. This could be an excellent metaphor, come to think of it. The contrast is what makes this pop, after you describe the dreary winter scene, we can almost feel the zing of this fresh sighting in a scroungy corner of the garden (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Margie. Persephone is the Goddess of Spring. She is late in calling this year. It is still cold and very windy here. Always appreciate your thoughts.

Chris