Before It All Started

there stands my daughter
in her granddad's green garden
with a posy of gorgeous
spilling over with colour
fresh faced and blooming
a rose of my making
brown eyes of best chocolate
her smile full of giving

abundant with blessings
when the sweet peas of summer
were buzzing with bumbles
the music streamed happy
snap dragons were flowers
the hours contented
until there came choices
when the voices of wisdom
were largely unheard

back to the memories
after it started
when the birds of the morning
were silent in singing
when the dreams of a future
a rainbow departed
and the hopes of a mother
a ship of maternal
were wrecked in the sinking
a heart torn apart

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Good morning dear Chris,
As I sit early this morning by the sea I am reading your poem… the end lines gave me goosebumps… your words as a mother, feeling helpless with a daughter, is something I relate to
We try our best to give our wisdom to our children but often our words “fall on deaf ears”
Thank you for sharing your thoughts,
Lisa, at the edge of the sea…overcast

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Lisa, I appreciate your thoughtful review. You say you relate to this poem, I am sorry you do because it isn't an easy place to be. I hope you had a nice Sunday.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Ye, I hate being in that place... My heart aches and I need to somehow forget about all of it and move on...
Glad you understand...
Making jam from what you call gooseberries (chinese lanterns) added oranges... my idea...also drying basil... now off to make banana oatmeal balls...crazy day

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris… Snap Dragons are very Special to me. When my Father passed many Moons ago.. I placed many Snap Dragons of Purple and Red Yellow and White, Rose and Mint Green… Your Poem is a Favorite to be Kept. Softly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, thank you for sharing your Dad and snap dragons with me. Our snap dragons were mauve and yellow. Pleased this poem becomes a favourite. Have a lovely Saturday.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

💕 lovely weather here… Pat

[William Michael Reeves]

I like how the first verse is about fun memories, the second verse is just fun, then, wow!!! you pack a punch in the last verse! Poetic gold that shines! Turning the words around a bit, 'fracturing' the language, is what poetry is all about. You do that well in this. I do kind of feel like the poem is too 'naked' without a little punctuation. I see your mark, but to me this one deserves a little fig leaf at least.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Bill, I appreciate your visit and your thoughts. Muse occasionally says bare all , go naked. And I do listen to her :) Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I love my daughters so much. My oldest called me just yesterday to talk. I'm so happy that even though she grew "up" she never grew "away" even though she's living 4200 + miles away in Alaska. My little granddaughter just won an essay contest at her local library for ages six to nine. She's only six and she wrote about her favorite book, Charlotte's Web. She had to call her PapPap because she knows I'm a poet. I couldn't praise her enough. She won a $20 gift certificate and some other stuff. The final lines of your poem were heartbreaking. My little one (she's only seven) thinks the sun rises and sets in her daddy. I'm hoping that tremendous love never falters or grows dim. I know that mine will not. Bless.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Fabian I love how you share the love of your family. Charlotte's Web was a great favourite of my grandchildren. Regarding this poem, the love is always there, that is unbreakable, but life choices when they impact the whole family can create enormous challenges and sorrows. Thanjs for stopping by.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Yes, I agree and I've seen it tear families apart. My own niece lost both her children because of her life choices. But fortunately her brother and his live-in girlfriend (I have no idea what else to call her since they aren't married) stepped up to take the twins in. The twins are 15 now and starting to drive. My nephew is a wonderful man. He put his Masters Degree on hold for those kids and loves them like his own daughters (he and his girlfriend have no children of their own but she has a son from a previous marriage). It's a hurting and dysfunctional world out there where families are concerned. I thank heaven for the ones who step up to make it better for the children.

[Chris Shaw]

We have been there and done that. Thank you for your understanding. Save the children.

[Betty Hermelee]

It's seems like it's always glorious to be with the young ones.they listen, they laugh ,they cuddle. then when they start growing up with their own ideas, relationships change and ideas and behaviors don't gel...I believe many mothers go through this period of a child's independence. Then all we have are those sweet little memories of the past. Very heartfelt Chris.
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty. Behaviours can become challenging, the love is unbreakable. That is always there. Many thank yous fur your visit.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome dear Chris
Best, B

[Lydia Shutter]

Heartbreaking and touching. What happens to our children...the ones who were sweet and innocent and giggling at butterflies? Every parent has high hopes and dreams for sons and daughters. Sometimes plans come to fruition and other times, Madame Fate intervenes. The pain of a mother remembering how it used to be really hit me as I read this one, Chris. Written from your heart. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear lydi**. A painful reality still difficult to come to terms with after many years. Your review moved me.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear lydi**. A painful reality still difficult to come to terms with after many years. Your review moved me.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Chris, I am sending you lots of love today.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you 🌹

[Dave Brown]

we have been lucky with sons and grandsons but my sister has had a handful with her daughter

[Chris Shaw]

Ours has given us three wonderful grandchdten who have lived with us for twenty years. But our daughter sadly lives on another planet.

[Richard Knox]

Chris,
What can be more difficult than watching your offspring make poor choices, but being unable to do anything about it? We all wish for our children to have happy, fulfilled lives, yet in the end it’s up to them to choose the path. Perhaps our only power lies in continuing to love them unconditionally, and lend support without judgment when needed. Very difficult to do, I know. Your poem speaks painfully yet poetically of a tragedy many of us face.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Richard for your very kind and supportive review. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Daughters seem to fight against mothers more than boys do ... they just smile and go their own sweet way but daughters can be very sweet or very hurtful ... both in abundance at times.
Once she realizes , and she will that other grass is not greener she will , in her own time settle down ...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella, her life choices are difficult to cope with.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Have been there Chris , i know how stressful it is ..

[Shelley Warner]

Hi Chris, I haven't been active on Writer's Cafe for a couple months, but thought I'd post a story and check out your writings. This is a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to your daughter.

[Chris Shaw]

Lovely to see you ShelIey. I will call on you soon. Hope all is good with you and the family.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

My mothers old saying and grandfathers was
‘ what is , is “

We can pray for change but until the person wants it I’m not sure

Anyway loved your poem especially the first two verses

I wish you luck and light in whatever your daughter needs x

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Julie for your very thoughtful review.

Chris