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.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

I feel your outrage and sadness at the sacrilege committed in a sacred place dear Chris. Knives spilling blood to stain the land forever…and yet a tree grows. Children killing children becoming an everyday abomination. Great form, cadence, flow, stark imagery, You so effectively start your verses with beauty and end with tragedy, mournfulness, grief.. Important poem that the world should read.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Annette, thank you so much for your thoughts and valued visit. Sadly there is violence everywhere these days., even in areas of outstanding beauty. Sending all good wishes to you abd Pebbles.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Sad how a violent, senseless act can render a once beautiful landscape forbidding. The opening stanza has imagery that paints a picture of rural bliss. Then the somber news begins, the description of a gang murder that left a person "lifeless." That one word standing alone has a fearful impact. The last stanza is an ode not only to the victim, but also to the setting, which is now stigmatized. A similar act occurred in my hometown today, the difference being that it was conducted in the American way, with guns.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, you have your guns, we have knives. Thank you John for your thoughts. This is an area of outstanding beauty within a ten minute walk from home. I used to walk the dog there. But since this killing happened to a 14 year old boy, I couldn't go back. This week I braved it.

Chris

[Pauline]

Yes, you better believe it Chris Shaw, I always said that you could write some years ago and it just gets better as the years roll.
I was enjoying the first verse when wham! I didn't expect the outcome. You're full of surprises.
A sad subject but delivered beautifully.
I personally would love for you to publish your work so have a think about it. Think about it while you're doing the dishes.
Pauline.xx

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pauline for a very generous review. I hope to publish my work, but I have to deal with my mum's estate first which is time consuming. So much paperwork for an Executor. I have two publishers interested which is really positive news. Yes sad story, but that's where the muse took me x

[Pauline]

Well firstly, the muse certainly nocks out a good sad one. Secondly, We have had to deal with my husband's brother's estate from a year ago and it was just finally settled last week with family sqabbles thrown in for good measure. It's a difficult job but more so when it's your mother's.
Love it that you have two publishers interested. I'd like a signed copy please. Aha.
I'm a totally unorganised woman with bits of poetry all over the place and on three different computers.I take more care over my paintings. But you know Chris, I've got to this age and I must say, I reached it very quickly. I went from nought to 10yrs in just one week so what dya reckon my age is now? Yes, it's been proven, I'm totally mad. lol. But to get back to the point, I'm just trying to enjoy myself now and stopped worrying about how I should be.
I do hope you're taking care of yourself. Love to you as always.xx Pauline.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you are enjoying life and that you got that estate sorted. It's a huge task. So much to do. I also need to sort my poetry out Pauline, it's everywhere. It is so good to hear from you. Love Chris xx

[Pauline]

Pauline xxx

[light and ashes]

This is great. The poetic language of the story reminded me a little of Shakespeare.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for that very encouraging review light and ashes. Pleased you stopped by today. All good wishes.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

The sad emotions run amok in the beauty of reference. You are an artist indeed with many talents. Very effective on your readers and admirers.
Tragedy and strain indeed.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Sami, your visit much appreciated. Have a super Sunday.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome. You too.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

More than a murder of crows. The sense of loss is palpable. But Spring comes again, even after the fall of man. I enjoyed the read.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian. I appreciate your thoughts and your visit. Have a good day poet.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

I don’t think you read Tennyson but absorbed his spirit. Your way with words and rhythm and tone are quite magical. Beautifully written, Chris.
Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Winston, thank you so much. I am touched by the kindness of your review.

Chris

[Ken e Bujold]

this is a gut-wrenching poem for me Chris. The pain and emotion are so crisp, the honesty of seeking an answer for what remains unanswerable is ... perfectly pitched.

On a personal level, it returns me to a place of my own similar emotional upheaval. I lost a nephew at the tender age of 18, to an equally unsensible event.

This is the new fav of my many favs of your work.

Ken e

[Chris Shaw]

So sorry to hear about the loss of your nephew Ken. So difficult to get your head round. I am however thrilled at your review. Also I have broken the ice and gone back to a place I was reluctant to revisit. Pleased to do so it is an area of outstanding beauty.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

priceless poetry for a heartless event

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your visit Dave and for your kind review. Have a good weekend.

Chris