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

[Patricia Wedel]

Parents want their children to be self-sufficient… and we show our gratitude by remembering and realizing how much love ❤️ was given to show us the Way when they have flown away. Very touching Memories. Softly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right Pat. Parents do want their children to be self sufficient and as the eldest of five I learned that at a very early age. My parents did a great job. We have wonderful memories but still miss them and sometimes the photos cause pain. Have a fabulous holiday. Greetings to you and your loved ones 💐❤️

[Patricia Wedel]

Thank you Chris… Merry Christmas to you and yours. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

🌲💐……………….

[Weeping willow]

Lovely expression of love of family,Christmas is a sad time for some as its not how it use to be when family was around. I hold tight to memories to see me through these years ;-]

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely review. Sending you Christmas greetings from across the pond. Hang on to those lovely memories ❤️🌺

Chris

[John the Baptist]

When you venture into old family photographs, especially at this time of year, feelings of loss are bound to be aroused. That is the case here, but then there are these words: "swallows now flown/to pastures unknown/ in a too high sky." They simultaneously acknowledge the fleeting nature of our days here, but also consider the possibility that the flesh is not the end. I can't think of a better way to look at it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John for sharing your thoughts and wisdom. Sending you greetings for Christmas. Best wishes to you and your loved ones.

Chris

[JD Major]

Ah yes, the old black&white snaps, it's almost like they elicit feelings unique unto themselves, feeling hard to explain and name, reminds me of the movie, Field of Dreams, when Kevin Costner meets his young father as he was before life wore him down. Can't name it, but I felt it :)
A sadly-beautiful write, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

I loved that film. Wonderful it was. You are right about old photos.They can really churn the emotions over. Pleased you stopped by. Sending you Christmas wishes from across the pond.

Chris

[JD Major]

Merry Christmas to you too, Chris :)
Lucky you - you get it 8 hours earlier!

[Chris Shaw]

Where are you then?

[JD Major]

...in BRITISH Columbia, haha, Vancouver, bracing for a BigSnow tomoro!

[Chris Shaw]

Wrap up warm. We have had ten days of minus temps. Thaw coming this week. Hurrah

[JD Major]

Haha, did you rhyme Thaw & Hurrah on purpose?
Here, a Thaw means Rain, there too?

[W. Barrett Munn]

Is it mistake to reopen old wounds in order to keep memory alive. Yes and no.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

I so agree with you Winston. You have to pick the right time to look. Thank you fir stopping by. Sending you Christmas greetings from across the pond.

Chris

[Pete]

all well said and revealed. these portraits of the past keep us grounded. remembrances of that from whence we came ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pete for stopping by. Sending all good wishes to you for Christmas Hope life is treating you well .

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes. "just about" as in almost but not quite...
I know this feeling .....my sibling being more or less dead to me...
she might have been in that carriage....and your reference to pastures ...you know how I feel about farms and running in the pastures.
Your wording is so spot on here...this is maybe my favorite ever from you, Chris.
a stunning poem
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thrilled J that you relate so well to these words. Your final comment has me smiling big time. Thank you so much.

Chris

[willweb]

I love the poem, I love the theme but wonder why the sadness? I know losing loved ones is sad but looking at a photo from the past and those in it smiling...it's ok though. I get it. Maybe it wasn't a good day to peer into the past. Somedays are just like that.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks so much will. Yep a bad day with the losses. That happens sometimes. Photos can be a comfort as well as a curse. All the best to you.

Chris