Disenchanted

(reflecting on a once revered place and memory)

shadows fall upon meadow grass

where once from atop a hill

sol burned on rolled bales of hay

.

august baked in noon blaze heat

replete with happiness was i, from

top knot hair to bare soles of feet

.

golden moments to remember

when black crows in random rows

became musical notes of song

.

how this valley sang of summer

from gentle slopes sweeping down

to where death's stain now lingers

.

fingers will forever point to where

a blade in winter flashed cold steel

plunged in anger into tender flesh

.

perpetrators all three doomed

young lives brewing in ruin and one

adolescent mourned in disbelief

.

      grief pervades our valley

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I love so much of the language in this piece:

"when black crows in random rows"

"fingers will forever point to where
a blade in winter flashed cold steel
plunged in anger into tender flesh"

That being said, this is apparently referencing the murder of one child by three others. Such a tragedy for everyone concerned.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Linda. I appreciate your visit and your thoughts.

Chris

[Phaedrus]

It is a reflection of our times - once a happy place now engulfed in gloom and despair. Short bursts of emotions do portray the mood swings nicely. I liked it.

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly you are right. The violence of today, is hard to live with. As much as I like social media and use it, I reckon it's part of the problem. Whipping up trouble instantly. I appreciate your thoughts. Many thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Phaedrus]

Chris, thank you for letting me know you liked what I said about your poem. It is sometimes not so easy to comment on poetry as it could mean so many things, especially to the author, but glad now to know that we are on the same page.

[Chris Shaw]

You know once the words are published, they become the reader's to interpret any way they wish. I am thankful for all my reviews and the interesting interpretations that can occur.

[Coyote Poetry]

Dear Chris. You shared deed and powerful thoughts.
"how this valley sang of summer
from gentle slopes sweeping down
to where death's stain now lingers"
The above lines stood-out to me. Hello dear friend. I hope you are doing well and you are enjoying the days of Summer. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote. My special place where I would go to find peace has been the scene of teenage knife crime. A boy of 13 died and another three implicated. Right on my doorstep. Such a waste of young life. I can't go back there.

Chris

[Tina]

Oh thats sad

[Coyote Poetry]

It is terrible when violence and death can destroy the beauty of places we love. I was born in Detroit. I visit and the city is dead. Empty and abandon houses. I guess somehow we must learn to live with dear Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, so sad Coyote.