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

[D. Mansfield]

Thank you so much for this poem. People have no idea what you dredge thru, and "feel", to come up with such beautiful writing, about all the private pain in our lives. Thank you

[Chris Shaw]

I really appreciate your thoughtful review. Thank you for your understanding.

Chris

[red93]

Poignant and moving Chris, and full of love - thank you for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony for your visit. Have a good Thursday.

Chris

[alan peter kelly]

Too high is right. Death is for the living to lament and the dead not care one single whit about. We memorialize in poetry...give it a beauty of which no actual existential end can compare.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks fir your visit Shan. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Chris

[Gee]

Had to rummage through photos to find a pic of Deb to sit alongside my "popping corks and laughter" poem, this gifted to Grace, Debs daughter, a a secret Santa pressie.
So many good times captured which makes the heart feel heavy.
Lovely poem Christine.
Hope you are all well and Santa ready:))

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Gee. Yes ready for Santa. The photos and memories are all that’s left when someone we love passes on. Takes time don’t it? You have a great Christmas now do ya hear me:)

Chris

[Gee]

You too Christine. Make sure the kids and grandkids do their bit :))

[Soren]

A melancholic vision that raised memories of all the ones that I knew and have now passed on. Some believe we will meet again, others give during life what remains, with no regrets, after others have passed. I loved the ending of the poem "brimful of rain portray pain at the loss of all three swallows now flown to patures unknown in a too high sky.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Soren for your very encouraging review. Really appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Dear Chris. We do need the memories. Even if they make us feel sad.
"mum’s eyes flashed bright
as did her smile
while mine today
cloudy grey"
The above lines. I did love and I look at the old photos. They take me back to dear grandparent who ensured. I knew happiness. Now I copy my mentors. Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote. The old photographs can be either a curse or a blessing depending on your state of mind at the time. I would much rather have them than not. Really appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

Chri

[Coyote Poetry]

We will need the old photos one day. Happy New Year dear Chris and you are welcome.

[Shelley Warner]

I like your description of your father with his James Dean looks. This is a heartfelt poem about grief.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Shelley. My Dad was a really handsome dude. Very much like James Dean as a younger man. Missing my folks at Christmas time.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

I'm sure it's not the same without them.

[Neville]

I've been there & done precisely that .. and even now it still hurts like hell .. thank heaven for them old photo's is what I say though and poetry too of course.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Neville and thank you. Yes, it can hurt like hell but nothing is going to stop me from looking. I appreciate your understanding words.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

You’ve turned all blue which is much less scary than spiders coming out of eyes :)