Pastures In The Sky

(Looking at photos)

it was a mistake
to take time out to dive
into the past

where I met my mother
in her prime
posing in monochrome

my father by her side
casual with his James Dean looks
a protective arm draped
reassuringly around
her shoulder

parked before them
a seen better days coach pram
holding two under two
my younger brother
chuckling

mum’s eyes flashed bright
as did her smile
while mine today
cloudy grey

brimful of rain
portray pain
at the loss of all three

swallows now flown
to pastures unknown
in a too high sky

I remain grounded
just about

Reviews

[M]

One loss is difficult to recover from, but three? I would be driven mad with grief. That makes it a very brave choice to reopen those wounds by gazing at the pictures from the past. We must always remember those we have lost, so it is a necessary pain we must endure. A most touching poem of a moment so dutifully shared with all.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Makhabat. Sadly as we age our losses increase and that is not easy to deal with. I had no losses as a child. The first didn’t come till I was 22. I appreciate your thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris

[Anushka joshi]

Watching your parents getting older, watching them slowly getting wrinkles and their declining strength is the most painful thing to watch. "Cloudy grey" another painful metaphor to relate sometimes while looking back at those photographs, remembering the sweet chaos.
A very visualising one.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Anushka, I appreciate your thoughts and your visit to my page. Have a lovely Sunday.

Chris

[JD Major]

Poignant, beautiful imagery, lovingly written.
I applaud your courage, Chris, I haven't cracked a family monochrome album in years.

[Chris Shaw]

Good to see you here JDM. Thank you for an encouraging review. Most appreciated.

Chris

[Thomas W Case]

So moving. Brilliant on many levels. I felt this one to my core.

[Chris Shaw]

That is an awesome review Thomas. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

well done says i! i think your poem has strong setting, scene and story told in a rhythm that draws me smoothly to feel such loss and reminiscing ... we remember them .. so they do live on ... and i love your killer closing two lines ... "just about" indeed .. hugs with well wishes for you this (again) cold day in the Ozarks. Peace Sis!
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for a lovely review Mr E. Yes they live on in our memories, and they are never far away. Many thanks for who hugs. It is cold here too. You wrap up now and keep nice and warm:)

Chris

[Andrew John]

You always write so beautifully about your parents - and I know I've voiced one about your dad, one that I found moving and often listen to, for the words, not my voice (believe it or not!).

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew, thrilled that you listen to January Shadows. So do I. You add value to that poem. Another thank you for your visit here.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

I used to like looking at pictures, it has become sad looking at the old photo albums however. Time is passing it doesn't look good for any of us currently alive anyway.

Technology and social media has taken the impact out of it though. Diluted it with excessive amounts of content. It's sad that future generations will never know where the term "photo album" really came from. They will think it was always just a social media term, never having seen one in the flesh (so to speak).

[Chris Shaw]

You make a good point, photo albums will be a thing of the past. I find that sad. I’m old fashioned. Those pictures mean alot to me and allow me to wander and reflect. Thanks for a nice review.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris -it's so sad, but if we fully remember, we can also remember the joys we once had with one another.
The laughter and the happy tears, they too should be part of our past.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Just a small period of reflection. Perfectly normal Dave. Hope you are are happy and healthy. Lovely to see you on my page.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris -it's nice to be back. I'm so glad to hear from you. Again I apologize for being nasty to you a while back. My only excuse is that I was going through a "rough patch."
Take care Dave

[Arundass TP]

Memory is like a rare mirror. It makes emotional. Good poem. Loved it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Arundass, pleased you enjoyed my efforts. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Neville]

.. A handful of ghosts & still blue Chris .. 💙

[Chris Shaw]

Aye, the ghosts come out and I am still blue 💙. Perfectly normal, it happens to you. Thank you my friend.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh, Chris, I felt this poem. So often I look through old photographs of my parents and my cousin who was like a brother to me. The black and white photos make me teary eyed and I wonder if the people in them know how much I miss them. I am sorry you have lost them all....we never forget though and they live on in memories. Beautifully written. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Lydi**. I do miss them but I have a very full life, with other family members and friends. Nice to get the photos out once in a while though to reflect .

Chris