Choices

that glow of a log fire from
an Edwardian hearth is so
warming on cold winter evenings
when fingers of flickering flame
lick and dance in their blue
and red attire

half way up the chimney

which transports me in time
to great grandfather James a
chimney sweep with a successful
business until he chose to squander
his profits on drink
sadly losing his family home

that’s when life turned sour

that’s when his luck fell in the mire
when his wife and youngest left
him drowning in his beer glass
of false happiness which led Eva
his daughter to recall without
flinching an inch how he died
alone in shame

on a park bench on a night
when the enclosed duck pond
had completely iced over
when little hearts unaware
slept soundly in their beds

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... I see a silver lining in your story... it was a blessing for your Nan to be an integral part of your family. It is difficult to "fix" your Father's problems. Unfortunately, many people have become alcoholics. I feel that your Nan found solace to Care for your family. Today we watched an old Movie about a Pschiatrist whose Home was invaded by an escaped Prisoner quite by necessity. The Doctor took the opportunity to interpret the Prisoner's constant Dream that took over his Life. He succeeded in changing the Prisoner's direction. In the end of the Movie the Prison Cops took the Man back to Prison, but the Prison continued to rehabilitate him from the "results of his Father's Abuse. The Movie was made in the Forties... when the Prisons discovered Rehabilitation... unlike our President in present time who simply puts them back on the Street. These are my thoughts. gently, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat thank you for sharing your thoughts. My nan was indeed a rich blessing to all of us. She suffered real neglect herself because of her father’s drinking. I was fortunate and had loving supportive parents. Not so my own grandchildren who we had to take under our wing. Same story of addictions and neglect. Many people who end up in prison do so because they have had unfortunate upbringings. It’s good to know that there is more rehabilitation these days than in the past. Politicians I have no faith in dear Pat. A lovely bright day here today. May your weekend be a good one. Sending love across the pond.

Chris

[Mauricio Montoya]

Hey Chris you've written something that touch my heart but I had to stop reading, because that one line got I've drank all my life, but when I stop at that line, hafe way up the chimney, I hopefully Santa was coming down, I'm sorry if I lost thought, you've touch heart in my family everybody drinks but I was a child when I didn't drink.
Thank you for sharing this. Excellent write

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mauricio. Nothing wrong with a drink. Sadly though, in this case the situation got completely out of control. His whole family suffered. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

Chris .

[willweb]

Wow, that was sad and a story that could happen to anyone at any time. Alcohol and drugs can be the downfall of many. I wonder what caused him to turn to drink. Such a shame for his family. I wonder, did he ever realize he had let them down? Nicely sad Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks will. There is more to discover to what I already know. Such a pity that he should have an ending like that. That’s where my mind wandered sitting by the fire and thinking of chimney sweeps. Have a good day.

Chris