Reluctant Return

Reluctant Return

A Poem by Chris Shaw

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

© 2022 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

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!

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Another apology from me DIVYA. I don’t know what happened three weeks ago, but I appeared to have .. read more
Ayvid N

1 Year Ago

Awww...No worries at all, dear Chris!
I know how much you care and I feel blessed to have you.. read more



Reviews

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

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

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

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

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

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Sadly Lorry, violence seems to be all around us these days even in the most peaceful and tranquil se.. read more
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

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Dear Roth, thank you for your thoughtful response. Pleased to see you have come back to WC. Yes the .. read more
I feel your pain in every word, every line. So full of emotion. Outstanding writing Chris. Always a pleasure to read your words. :) Julie

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

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

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you Freds. It took me 18 months to pluck up the courage to go back. I've done it now and I'm t.. read more
Brutal writing Chris and it should be. Your wording never fails to stop me in my tracks. Well done.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

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

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you Marvin. I have paid tribute to a teenager who should have had his whole life before him. I.. read more
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



Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

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

Chris
Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

I hope too dear Katrina that with the passing of time the visits to this beautiful place will not be.. read more
Terrible Death can happen in the most beautiful area
Well written poem ,Chris

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

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

Chr.. read more

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Added on September 2, 2022
Last Updated on September 2, 2022

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

Writing

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