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

[Fran Marie]

Dear Chris this poem runs deep
with emotions spilling forth I
can tell from a mother's point
of view my 2 daughters very
seldom listened to me either
I feel the sadness within
this piece of fine written poetry

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fran for stopping by today to review this piece. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

you're s o welcome

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Chris,

Sometimes it is hard for a guy to know what to say, or even how to ascertain that which he can surely feel as amiss, as pain, sorrow, and anguish of heart, and yet, because I am a man there is a gist here that most any woman would instinctively discern and that quite easily ... But, as a man, I am clueless as to the travesty which I do sense going on here within this piece of fine Poetry ... Perhaps, I am afraid to draw a stupidly wrong conclusion, or say the wrong thing, but I shall simply confess that I do feel the powerful emotions emanating forth from the Poem, and shall leave the accuracy of events to you, the Poetess who has set this piece to pen of page ...

[Chris Shaw]

You did fine Marvin. I liked what you said in this review. Pleased you stopped by today.

read moreYou did fine Marvin. I liked what you said in this review. Pleased you stopped by today.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

We are not told what "It" is, but it seems to be a family problem of major proportions. It has the same tone as another recent poem, "Child of Mine." One can only hope that some positive resolution is yet possible.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. Never say never, I live in hope. I appreciate you taking the time to read a subject which is hard for me to write about, but also necessary.

Chris

[Temperance]

I can only guess at your frustration when your words of wisdom went unheeded. I think we are about the same age and, I'm sad to say that I have not been blessed with children so, I cannot totally relate to a mother's concern. However, I can relate from the daughter's perspective and, in retrospect, there are times that I wish I had listened to my mother. Thank you for sharing these personal thoughts and memories. Temp

[Chris Shaw]

And thank you Temp for reading and leaving your own thoughts. Have a lovely day and know you are appreciated.

Chris

Chris

[Vertigo Cat1111]

This poem gave me the chills. Beautiful to the very core and words of love only a mother could write. I cannot imagine the pain that provoked this poem and I’m so sorry for it. I applaud and look up to you that you can even write about something so painful and horrendous. That little girl certainly had a bright light that burns in your words. Again, I cannot imagine. But I aspire to be as resilient as you. The imagery is beautiful and haunting. God bless you, thank you for sharing. 💙💙💙

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Cat, your lovely review caused a tear. Thank you so much for your empathy. It is a hard subject to tackle.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oh, Chris...tears of understanding here.

j.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear J, thank you for your understanding.

Chris

[Neville]

one can truly feel the emotion running deep, raw and slow throughout what is essentially one heck of a dream of a reflective poem .. though one also tinged with not only love, but also sadness and a hint of regret .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Neville. There is much love amid the sadness. I appreciate your thoughts.
read moreMany thank yous Neville. There is much love amid the sadness. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris