Like River Grass

Like River Grass

A Poem by Chris Shaw

behold tall bold river grass
as it sways in a westerly
morning breakfast breeze

moving with overhead cloud
before its flexible backbone
returns to o’clock

while biscuit coloured foxtail
plumes brush the cool dry air
in feather duster tickles

as the whole cycle
repeats like a stuck stylus and
i recall our own species

how we can bend with
wind change to bounce back
after a battering

while some sadly break
to become crushed by
all that’s belligerent

not all are resilient
not all can go with the flow
for even in a lakeside show

casualties of cruelty
inflicted by fickle ways of nature
lie bruised and broken

© 2023 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

LOL I got a crook in my neck and my legs aren't what they used to be my arms can't reach nearly as high and strong as they used to:( I'm trying to get back upright but you'll forgive me if I can't stand as proud as I once was my dear Chris:) but my heart and my spirit still stand 10 feet high and wrestle with all the nettles along the shoreline:) Lovely lovely lovely lines

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Dear Robert, your review warms me. Thank you so much for your kindness. Take good care of yourself... read more



Reviews

This has the feeling of a parable in a painting that depicts two worlds, the objective and the subjective, both beautiful and sad, both sensible and senseless. Maybe. :) I find myself reflecting on sociological considerations. Some people are stable enough to grow deep roots, and some aren't so fortunate. But I wonder; maybe some humans sans roots, unlike plants, can sail on the wind in a storm, and land on their feet when it's over?

Posted 1 Year Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

I thank you Andra for sharing your thoughts. I certainly think there are those people who can surpr.. read more
"How can we bend with wind change to bounce us back" That line is raw and powerful and I agree with every word in that stanza. Also, I loved the description it defiantly put a detailed picture in my mind! We are all river grass trying to bounce back from life's ups and downs, With nature guiding us through it.

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Many thanks Ursa Major for your visit. Pleased you enjoyed my poem and the observations contained in.. read more
Thought I was on a nature walk at first, then your subject revealed itself as the words bent in the weight of how profound the subject is. Weather it's humans at war or nations, some are fragile and break while others rebound in the flexibility of perseverance and strength. Nice metaphor, good poem = strong reaction. May all of the oppressed be supple enough to stand back up!

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you so much Bill. Haven’t seen you around for a while so I appreciate your visit and your th.. read more
Your poem is well-written and effectively conveys its message. The imagery of the river grass and foxtail plumes is vivid and evocative, and the contrast between the two plants is used effectively to illustrate the theme of resilience. The poem also has a nice flow and rhythm to it, which enhances its overall impact.

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

So pleased you enjoyed this poem Arthur. Thank you for stopping by to share your thoughts. You are a.. read more

Wonderful imagery -the parallel between nature and humanity , so well done.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you Steel Magnolia. Your thoughts are kindly received and appreciated.
You've hit a bunch of killer lines in this poem, Chris. Some real fire here. Reminds me a bit of one of my favorite poems, Thistles, by Ted Hughes (https://allpoetry.com/Thistles). I really liked "biscuit coloured foxtail plumes", "feather duster tickles", and "breakfast breeze". I liked how, yes, men, like those long grasses, are resilient and and resolute, but hey, getting stepped on is getting stepped on, and sometimes there's not a whole lot we can do about that. Another interesting sneaky nuance meaning that jumped out to me was in the part about us bending with the wind, changing to bounce back after a battering, and that it reminded me of how cultural pressure can both literally break us, or bolster us/stand us back up, depending on our orientation/stance in the midst of that pressure. Can we divert it, can we harness it? Or will it destroy us?

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Hello Jon. Really appreciate this thorough review from you and for pointing out the lines you enjoye.. read more
Shawn Jahaffie

1 Year Ago

Well the pleasure is all mine, it's fun to read, and to get back into the swing of things, writing-w.. read more
Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

I hope you get round to posting some new work soon Jon.
i earlier read a remark wondering if you knew how good your work had become
this is another example that confirms that remark
very nicely done

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you so much Dave for your very encouraging comments. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Have a good.. read more
Only the strong survive and like river grass bends to change and conflict- goes with the flow so to speak comes to mind.

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Going with the flow. Flexibility, being able to adjust to unseen circumstances helps in survival. Th.. read more
LOL I got a crook in my neck and my legs aren't what they used to be my arms can't reach nearly as high and strong as they used to:( I'm trying to get back upright but you'll forgive me if I can't stand as proud as I once was my dear Chris:) but my heart and my spirit still stand 10 feet high and wrestle with all the nettles along the shoreline:) Lovely lovely lovely lines

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Dear Robert, your review warms me. Thank you so much for your kindness. Take good care of yourself... read more
The opening line gave me goosebumps. Cerebral lines.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you duff. Pleased you stopped by. Hope all is good in your world. Enjoy the rest of your day.

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491 Views
26 Reviews
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Added on February 13, 2023
Last Updated on February 13, 2023

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

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