Gaia Gifts

(turning a downturn into a positive)

relentless rain does not contain
this river to its normal flow
its surge and swell has burst its banks
and filled the lakes with overspill

yet where the flooded waters creep
with belly fattened oversize
a feast of beauty where old sol
looks on the scene with winter eyes

diluted sun spreads through thick mist
i fail to see where water ends
for sky and river are but one
i stand before the flood plain edge

surveying all the damage done
admiring light with sun glaze haze
my skin and soul absorb it all
full mast this is the best of days

Reviews

[Neville]

Gaia rarely gets it wrong .. and even on those odd occasions when it is easier to blame her than man's own in inadequacy and incompetence's, at the end of the day, she is so easy to forgive because her writes are far greater than her collective wrongs .. Neville :)

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Neville for stopping by. Seems like an age. Happy Sunday.

Chris

[Neville]

my pleasure treasure and back at thee tooly :)

[lightsong]

And I just finished reading and reviewing Betty's poem about the drought in Africa, ha! how mysterious the Gaia works on our world, and what messages behind it? only You can write and turn a rough flood into a gentle flowing river... see the light beyond a disaster.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your thoughtful review dear lightsong. Have a beautiful Sunday.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

There is a beauty in nature even when it is destructive. We have rain in the Pacific Northwest where I live but not excessive. This past week was sunny and colder than usual. I just looked out my window and saw wet streets and though, "welcome back rain".

[Chris Shaw]

You are right Shelley. Even in destruction there is beauty. Many thank yous for your thoughtful review.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

You have such an optimistic slant on life, Chris. It is wonderful. Your love of nature comes through loud and clear in this poem. Even a flood can bring beauty...indeed. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lydi••. I do try to find a little light. There’s certainly enough misery around. Really appreciate your visit . All the best to you.

Chris

[Soren]

Chris this is eloquently stated and brings many images. But my thoughts go to how everything is a perspective. It is from man's view that damage is done, in nature's it is but a cycle of death and rebirth and has been going on from the beginning of time. I loved the last line "full mast this is the best of days" This seems to reflect the positive in the situation, that for some it is the end and for others the beginning. Lovely write.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Soren. There is beauty everywhere if you look. Even in destruction. Old gasometers that look rusted and ugly by day can turn into bronzed and stately giants at sunset. All in the eye of the beholder. I really appreciate your review and your time.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

I absolutely love how you describe the seasons.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. Pleased you enjoyed this poem .

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... your description of the River could easily be for our Rappahannock River, also.
Our Banks have not overflowed so far (as they have done in years past). However, the Mist settles in and
it is difficult to see the Moon shine through. We often drive Home with no Lamp Lights along the River Road. 25 miles per hour Signs keep us Alert. Your poem is beautifully painted as we navigate the Perils of the New Moon. gently, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat it is a blessing that your river hasn’t burst its banks for a while. We also get the mists which can be incredibly beautiful at times. I’m pleased I managed to convey the beauty of what inspired this poem. Enjoy the beauty of the moon in all her phases. Sending love across the waves.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

floods are debilitating to earth and humans alike... Climate change has increased the likelihood of more ... sun sleeps while the sky open its doors to rain pellets that cease to stop.....so the sky and the flooded ground do look like one... luckily we live in the mountains where flooding does take place in flood zones, but happily we do not live there....
A beautiful comment on on very dangerous, ominous events
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Betty for your visit and your share. It must be beautiful to live in the mountains. All good wishes.

Chris

[red93]

I guess we have been fortunate in Bristol not to have had serious flooding while I have been here (since 1970). Bristol is largely built on hills, with the River Avon safely contained in the 'Old Harbour'. You evoke this Scene with your usual eloquence Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Tony. Further upstream in past years there has been real damage to homes. It is devastating for some. I appreciate your kind comment.

Chris