Another Day

(Written at the very start of Ukraine's Invasion)

bones of a blackened
building barely remain
upright

once a happy home
flesh brick work becomes
rubble piled high

floral curtains flap in tatters
acrid smoke permeates
through choked air

monday's laundry
a memory of freshly rinsed
lavender comfort

where once a child played
her knitted doll sandwiched
inbetween bombed ruins

her black eyes search
for the mercy of heaven
there is none

only the wail of sirens
when missiles rain down
another day begins

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

War is a terrible thing. Tyranny that incites war is even worse. Ukraine has suffered the tyranny of Russian aggression before. Stalin starved the people to death by the millions during the Holodomor. There were emaciated corpses lining the city streets. This is recorded in photographs and recognized by the Ukrainian people though largely forgotten by the rest of the world. They will never surrender or capitulate to Russian aggression because to do so, as history attests, is certain death.

[Chris Shaw]

Your background history information regarding the war in Ukraine, speaks for itself. Understandable why the people of Ukraine will fight for every inch of their land and will not capitulate. Amazing resilience and I pray that they will succeed. Thank you Fabian for your interesting response.

Chris

[Stuart Munro]

War only wins you Blood , nothing else

[Chris Shaw]

So right, they are futile but tell that to the aggressors who go invading. Thanks Stuart.

[Dave Brown]

this is precisely why I write so much ridiculous poetry ( if poetry is what it can be called)
when I think of the unending stupid ignorance of mankind I am smothered in depression
ignoring won't make it go away but it helps a wee bit

[Chris Shaw]

And that's why I read you. A little light relief before I can attempt the hard realities of life on this planet. We have to have balance. A little silly is my cup of tea. Have a good day young man.

Chris

[Relic]

This is about as vivid as it gets when it comes to writing about the horrors of war. It could pertain to WW2 as well as Ukraine. Life shouldn't be lived this way by anyone. Putin will go down in the same catagory as Hitler.

[Chris Shaw]

You are absolutely right, particularly your final sentence. Thank you for your thoughts Tim.

Chris

[Ani Ashford]

Powerful images are evoked by your words. It is easy to see the images you word-paint, and feel the raw emotion.

Well done. Thank you

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ani and welcome to my page. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Ani Ashford]

You are welcome. I enjoyed your work. Thank you for reading my work.

[Chris Shaw]

A pleasure. Have a good Thursday.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

so sad but so eloquent...and the worst image in terms of sadness..."the curtains flap in tatters"---
and that doll, so haunting.
geez, this is good stuff.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear J for your encouragement. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Neville]

Yes indeed, just as one day leads to another, some things remain pretty much the same .. same old ugly, just new bomb shells and craters ................... and yes, lots of tears .. This is sadly very good Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Neville. The situation is desperately sad.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

I'm glad you're writing about the invasion of Ukraine. Hard to believe that this onslaught has gone on for six months! It is heartbreaking. I feel helpless because I can't do anything to stop it.

[Chris Shaw]

It is a situation which is desperately sad. I know what you mean about feeling helpless. There is little we can do ShelIey. Thanknyiubfurcsgaringbyiur thoughts.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

You're welcome and it is good to know that others feel helpless too.

[John the Baptist]

Though written at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this one is still relevant today, for the shelling persists daily. The stark imagery of the poem well recreates the desolation of war. That no human is described, this in itself is testimony. And so it continues.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. It goes on and on and we wonder how long it will continue for. It is a desperate situation.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

It's so hard to imagine the despair .... you have painted a very sad but truly accurate picture Chris..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella, another one I wrote and didn't post. Situation has got a whole lot worse now. Terrible times.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Puts our complaining to shame ... :(