Holes In Thinking

my pen plays idle

as brain cells collide and side

in sympathy with mother's

sliding mind state

her fate unbalanced

muddled thoughts

absent logic caught

in cobwebs of stickiness

struggling to escape

unable to string more than

a few pearl words together

holes in thinking

vocabulary sinking

thirst for poetry missing

appetite all but dead

morning musicality gone

lost in a fog of nothingness

yet as dawn broke through today

something else broke through too

i heard a blackbird's sweetest notes

and found my own song too

Reviews

[NoPoetry]

Been reading a few of your poems, connected with this one pretty quick due to how I'm feeling lately. On top of that I love the structure of this, and how the each stanza feels filling while only being a handful of words. The ending left me feeling hopeful. nice work

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you NoPoetry. I appreciate both your time and your visit. All the best.

Chris

[Elyne Knight]

I have tears in my eyes reading this. I know as a stranger I can't say anything meaningfully comforting, but this poem evokes so much pain and empathy and love I can't begin to express. It speaks strongly to my own grief. And it hits especially hard after reading Replay.

So sorry for your loss.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for that beautiful and understanding review. Grief is the price we pay for love and there was incredible love for her and all she was for me and my siblings, our children and grandchildren.

Chris

Chris

[Gee]

You both have peace now although the inner turmoil and heartache will gnaw away at you for a wee while, slowly subsiding with the passing weeks and months.
I obviously write this knowing your situation :)
My thoughts and best wishes are with you all.
Take care

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Gee for your kind thoughts and understanding.

Chris

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

Sorry to hear about your mom Chris. This is such a moving poem. I hope it helps you feel a bit better. Hugs

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Cyprian. I appreciate your thoughtful review. All the best.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

“Morning has broken.. Blackbird has spoken…like the first Morning… “. a lovely Song 🎶 that soothes…. May your 💜 heart rest on clouds where Angels pray and keep a Vigil night and day as you Chris keep your Mother’s Memories in a Locket with a Golden Chain… Amen.. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Aw Pat, your beautiful review is so touching, and a comfort. Bless you and yours always.

read moreAw Pat, your beautiful review is so touching, and a comfort. Bless you and yours always.

Chris

[Lisasview]

You are welcome..
Yes, I am reading loads every day and writing.. Working on my poems..
Lisa

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This is both sweet and sad. I have lived this poem. I was the primary caregiver for my mother the last five years of her life. By far, my favorite moments of our times together were reading to her or talking with her in rare moments of brilliant lucidity. It's a most difficult thing to fight a battle for and from love, knowing you are bound to lose in the end.

[Chris Shaw]

You know only too well Fabian, how difficult this can be. My own mum released from her prison and now a free spirit. I rejoice in that whole grieving her loss. All the best.

Chris

[Zoe Richardson]

I feel the empathy you have here for your mother, her struggle with finding words and the vagaries of the aging mind. All of us, as we age, struggle with memory and expression and fear of what will happen as the years pass. I love you mirror your own struggle with that of your loved one. Whether it is dementia or just the aging process it isn't easy for a poet to witness the loss of ability to communicate. Thank you for being so honest and expressing it so well!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Zoe, my own mum's struggles now over. Dementia and aging are such a curse. All good wishes.

Chris

[JE Falcon]

Ah, the sweet taste of dawn upon the heart. This was sad but inspiring at the end, and well written all through. Thanks.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Falcon for your lovely review. All good wishes.

Chris

[JE Falcon]

All the best.

[Dave]

I get the impression that you lament the fact that the mother is suffering from some early form of dementia. I hope and pray that I'm wrong. I can't imagine the anguish you are going through.
Please take care of yourself - Davew

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. Written shortly before my mum passed, earlier this month. She is now out of her torment. Thank you always for your kind thoughts. Hoping you and yours are keeping well and happy. Best wishes from across the pond.

Chris

[Kim S.]

holes in thinking
vocabulary sinking
thirst for poetry missing
appetite all but dead

Love this part, vocabulary sinking has got me thinking about what teachers go through
with their students, to write poetry is a quenching thought all for knowledge,
Poetry is a dying art I think. I enjoyed this

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Beckie and apologies for my late response. My mum, now released from her torment. All good wishes.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Chris, It seems like your mother may be suffering from some sort of memory anguish... I hope it's not true, but if it is, you have my empathy X one thousand....your words create an emptiness , a void in your spirits, which is totally understandable; difficulty focusing on anything. But, a little bird's song seemed to have sparked a little smile, a good thing for one who needs a bit of cheer.
Best always,
B.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty and apologies for my late response to your thoughtful review. My mum died shortly after I wrote this poem, earlier this month, so she has been released now from her torment. All the best to you dear friend.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Sorry for delay, you’re very welcome😊