Reluctant Return

too late today with timing

to see rolled hay bales

in cut meadow grass

they'd already gone along

with the crows in rows

that resembled musical 

notes upon a song sheet 

of September gold 

i hadn't wanted to pass

that place that made the

headlines shout out in winter

blues over a year ago 

since then the seasons have

arrived and left like that

coverlet of snow which hid 

the ground where he'd been

found

lifeless

teenagers with blades

with one slain and there in

his memory a youthful tree

branches decked with 

keepsakes and wind chimes 

gently swaying in a warm

breeze

a quiet corner of our 

valley's beautiful landscape

where such a violent act

a pact premeditated ended

in tragedy and stain

before long he will be

forgotten someone's much 

loved son a further statistic 

loose set in another day 

turned rotten

Reviews

[AYVID N]

At the outset, let me compliment you on the stunning imagery in the following lines:

crows in rows
that resembled musical
notes upon a song sheet
of September gold

Reading this was so inspiring. A standard of writing we all aspire to.

The heart bleeds for these children taken so much before time. Indeed, such violence mars the beauty of all creation. There is something so rotten in the world for this to happen. It's so against the grain of Nature and all things beautiful.

A poem filled with such beauty and compassion!

[Chris Shaw]

Another apology from me DIVYA. I don’t know what happened three weeks ago, but I appeared to have missed some of my reviews. I always treasure yours and send another apology. 💐❤️

[AYVID N]

Awww...No worries at all, dear Chris!
I know how much you care and I feel blessed to have you here. Thank you so much for appreciating my words always.

[Temperance]

A beautiful write about a sad situation. Something that sadly occurs all over the world at times. Your words flow so easily! T.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your visit Temp. So much violence everywhere. Just too sad for words. Have a good Saturday.

Chris

[supernova_thoughts]

It's painful and beautiful how finely you have described life. It starts and it ends once. Then once more when you become blurred in someone's memories. The saga continues.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you supernova for your visit and sharing your thoughts. You are appreciated. Have a good Friday.

Chris

[Lorry]

Another place tainted forever by a random act of senseless violence.
How cheap a life can be to some, where others mourn it in its truest value, beyond wealth.

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly Lorry, violence seems to be all around us these days even in the most peaceful and tranquil settings. Yes will still visit. I have returned after 18 months, but the place is tainted with sadness. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Roth Jordain]

Hello Chris,
Finally I am here to read your poem and pay you back for the great comments you made on my poems.
You began in a peaceful country scene and in stanza two started to change, then with one telling word ''lifeless' followed with stanza three that shattered the mood when youngsters planned and committed the unthinkable crime of knifing one of their own to death.
Your poem left a feeling of sadness but of wonder too in how it rhymes here and there and very clear images painted with words -- you are surely a stellar writer of this kind of poetry. What is this style called?
I was surprised that you use no capitals or punctuations, it seems so bare and unfinished but still written very good.
Because of the ads I left for a while but it stuck in my mind that you said my poem is classic and to ask Richard, so I found him and asked and he read that poem told me in his comments what classic is and that my poem is not exactly classic -- but it has classic elements. He also told me about adblock, so I think I will like it here better now.
Thank you Chris for sending me to Richard and the opportunity to read and comment on your poem. I enjoyed it immensely and learned how rhyming can effectively occur anywhere.
With grateful blessings,
Roth

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Roth, thank you for your thoughtful response. Pleased to see you have come back to WC. Yes the ads can be a nuisance can't they? Pleased to see you have sorted that problem out. This is free verse and I use internal rhyme within my work. Apologies for late response, I have had a very busy week. Currently sorting out my elderly aunt's house for sale as well as dealing with my late mum's estate, so have lots to do and too little time to do it. All the best.

Chris

[MsJewel]

I feel your pain in every word, every line. So full of emotion. Outstanding writing Chris. Always a pleasure to read your words. :) Julie

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Julie for a lovely review. So nice to have a visit from you. My very best wishes
read moreThank you Julie for a lovely review. So nice to have a visit from you. My very best wishes

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

This is deep with reach and feeling Chris. There are places that I still can't go to because of what they mean and bring and emanate. Years ago we visited this abandoned place, for similar reasons; and I could not get off the car. We drove on and meditated upon it for days on end. And yet there is always that hope that one day, when Time has done its chore... thanks for sharing. /Freds/

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Freds. It took me 18 months to pluck up the courage to go back. I've done it now and I'm thankful for that, but the memories won't be erased that easily. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[duff]

Brutal writing Chris and it should be. Your wording never fails to stop me in my tracks. Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks duff. Difficult to return there but I have broken the ice now. I appreciate your review.
read moreThanks duff. Difficult to return there but I have broken the ice now. I appreciate your review.

Chris

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Chris,

You have penned a tragically sad, but beautiful, tribute and memorial to this young man whose life was cut short brutally and horrifically by those who shall lie in the same earth one day, face death as did he, and then they shall consider their mortality, too little, too late ...

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Marvin. I have paid tribute to a teenager who should have had his whole life before him. It was the least I could do. Thank you for your thoughts. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Katrina Mckeown]

I can feel your pain and anger in this… how could they take another’s life …children killing children… it is shocking!
I love the way you paint a picture with your imagery at the beginning on how beautiful and peaceful and that this sacred place was a delight to visit … it is tragic that these thugs have ruined this beauty spot.
In years to come this beautiful place will thrive again and that we soul will sadly be forgotten.
Katrina


Katrina

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Katrina for your thoughts. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

I hope too dear Katrina that with the passing of time the visits to this beautiful place will not be so difficult. Time is a healer. Bless you dear Katrina.

[Stuart Munro]

Terrible Death can happen in the most beautiful area
Well written poem ,Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Stuart. A sad poem but it had to be written. I appreciate your visit.

Chris