A Losing Game

(A tribute on the 10th anniversary of her death, Amy Winehouse)

           somehow

.

it seems a tad distasteful

that raised wine glasses

       clink for amy

.

especially when her crusade

against alcohol addiction 

    became a lost cause

.

ten years gone while our

bluebird of happiness swings

    in its usual place

.

            suspended

from a central wooden beam

    over our summer deck

.

     in silent appreciation

as back to black plays its dark

              lament

.

     as lantern light flickers

honeysuckle vines shoot strands

        from beehive chaos

.

saluting the mistress of song's

        creative vowels

       in scented respect

Reviews

[Patricia]

Im not sure if I already reviewed this but don’t think I did. Amy was a rare talent that I adore! Many of her songs are in my playlist. Such a shame and broke my heart that she outwardly portrayed herself as ok with her choices when I am sure she wasn’t. It seems talents like this muse from the pain and recreate it over and over. A vicious cycle of addiction. This is an amazing write, a tribute actually to that sad beautiful talent

[Chris Shaw]

She was an amazing talent and her music lives on in our household. Pleased you enjoy her voice too Patricia. Thank you my friend.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

not of my generation i had never heard of her until her death ... her life a very sad refrain to be sure .. her black and white videos and her voice remind me of Etta James and Billy Holliday in some way ... such an amazing gift, her voice. i suppose people clink glasses in admiration, and what could have been .. with such talent its easy to understand dedicated fans .. your poem paints the duality of it all says i! theses lines for me are so spot on the bittersweet of hearing songs sung with such talent and knowing we have her no more
"honeysuckle vines shoot strands
from beehive chaos"
like others are saying ... so many and so much lost to addictions and senseless and for some accidental death .. Jimi Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Jim Morrison ... Prince .. so so sad for the loss and what might have been :(
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Despite her early depart she has left a wonderful legacy but as you say, you can't help wondering on what might have been. Sadly addictions seem to feature with quite a few of the most talented musicians. Always good to have your footprint on my page Mr E. Thank you for stopping by to share your thoughts on Amy. Have a wonderful day and sending you warm wishes from this side of the pond.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

i feel you Chris and right back at ya double up! ;) Amy had an incredible voice and talent ... just sitting here shaking my head ... even now .. 10 yrs later ... really fine tribute and remembrance in your poem, Chris .. so glad i did not miss it!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mr E. You know I love Ella Fitzgerald. That was mum and dad's influence but Amy was right up there with her :)

[.]

There are so many deaths due to drug abuse or alcoholism.... And i think fame and drug are synonymous for some of the famous.... But the loss is for ours surely. You wrote a heartfelt tribute on her death anniversary... Yes, she was fragile but beautifully creative

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sima, tragically sad that she had to to use props to keep her going. A wonderful talent lost too soon. Always appreciate your visits.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Another of the 27 club...they are raising their glasses there, but not clinking them, just raising them
You raise awareness of what she meant in music with this fine poem of tribute.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes another of the 27 club. What is it about that number? Thank you J. Amy was a huge talent. I watched a programme over the weekend about her through the eyes of her mum and dad. Made me cry.

Chris

[Vertigo Cat1111]

First off, the name really caught my eye and then I spotted it was about Amy Whitehouse, who I think was an absolutely gorgeous and wonderful singer who my mother loves dearly too. This was a breathtaking tribute, but it’s such an awful thing that people in the music industry, such as Kurt Cobain and others die due to alcohol or bad drugs. It’s such an absolutely heart wrenching loss when we lose someone who creates so much wonder and music in the world, but you’re tribute I believe, keeps those spirits going, and at the very least, Amy Winehouse was able to share some of her brilliant mind with us. These singers have saved so, so many lives. David Bowie, Freddy Mercury, Bob Marley and much more. This was a wonderful tribute. Thank you so much for always posting such kind, beautiful pieces of art.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review Colacat. Yes, we have lost some huge talent but they have left a wonderful legacy of music behind. I appreciate you stopping by. Big thanks.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Creative people seem unusually susceptible to the dangers of substances. If you count the numbers of those artists who have died from overdoses of one drug or another, you will find yourself in double digits very quickly. Amy Winehouse was one of those immensely talented people who destroyed themselves via alcohol. Talent can sometimes come with a heavy price tag.

[Chris Shaw]

So true John. So many really talented musicians have bailed out early as a result of addictions. Yes talent can come at a price. Thank you for stopping by.

Chris

[mattavelli]

Hello, Christine! :)
This is a lovely tribute. I dont know any of Amy's songs. Which do you recommend?

[Chris Shaw]

She never recorded a bad song. Back to black, Love is a losing game, Valerie, Rehab. Far to many to mention. The Back to black album is excellent. Only 27 when she died. Many thanks mattavelli for checking in. Google her and listen on utube. You won't be disappointed.

Chris

[mattavelli]

I'll listen. :)

[andrew mitchell]

Apart from a good write Chris, this is a constant reminder to all those singers we admired and loved their music. Their music lives on but the possibilities of more musical enjoyment sadly is the loss we have to bear in remembrance.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew. I wrote this while watching her mum and dad talk about her. It was a heart breaker seeing her as a tiny tot, a schoolgirl. She had so much talent and yet she was as fragile as an autumn leaf. Loved her music.

[andrew mitchell]

She has some great songs, drugs were her downfall but that was her escape sadly.

[Chris Shaw]

True. First it was drugs and then she switched addictions. Alcohol poisoning killed her. So sad.

[adornoscousin]

I think of Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley. Tortured artists. I wonder if they would have made such great music if they were not tortured?

[Chris Shaw]

I think that must be a possibility. The more tortured their soul, the greater the performer. Many thanks.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

A wonderful caring tribute to the singer, Chris, I have no doubt she would be absolutely touched and moved by it. It is truly sad she died young and sadder still too awful addiction. All the new wonderful and beautiful songs we will never be able to hear because of her loss is truly sad. Thank you for sharing your tribute to her with us.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Carlos. Wrote this last night as I watched a programme on her from her mum and dad's perspective. So touching. Really made me cry. She was such a talent and although she appeared to be quite aggressive sometimes by her appearance, she was as fragile as an autumn leaf in freefall. We are all losers now she is gone. Really appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

It is sad when a star we admire dies. When we feel connected to their artistry it is like losing a loved one.

[Chris Shaw]

She achieved so much in such a short space of time. Sadly her addictions got the better of her and we are all losers for that. Incredible voice and song writer. Thank you Dale.

Chris