Dredging

on a day when grief
felt weighted
like lead in walking shoes
when there was no relief

would you understand
why those last few grains
of cremated remains

texture sharp as rough sand
found their way
to forehead and cheeks

ceremoniously dredging
the basement depths
of my most inner chambers
of sorrow

Reviews

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

We all mourn loss differently, and yet no emotional experience is more universal than sorrow. Of course love is its sister I would dare to surmise. Both opposing twins that tug and pull upon our hearts from birth to death. We aspire to love in life greater and mourn just as equal. Because nothing exhibits one's adoration more so for the objects of our affection than when we have lost them. It is what defines our humanity. CLE

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Carlos, so pleased you stopped by to share your thoughts. You are very much appreciated. Have a good Tuesday.

[Kiara Winnow]

This is simply beautiful, you are immensely talented. Thank you for sharing your works.

[Chris Shaw]

Kiara, I thank you for stopping by and leaving such a generous review. You are appreciated.

[Relic]

You know I'm familiar with that kind of grief. You put it into words as only a poet can.

[Chris Shaw]

Thought you might understand this one. Thanks for your visit. Your thoughts are much appreciated. Have a good Sunday.

[John the Baptist]

Has an Ash Wednesday sound to it, this one. The grief is almost palpable, and one wonders if a family member has been lost. I hope not, but if so, please accept my condolences.

[Chris Shaw]

Nothing recent. Refers to last year. Words written then but not posted until now. Thank you so much John for your visit. Have a good Sunday.

[Stella Armour]

it's so unimaginable that it doesn't seem true . The weight of destruction and grief is so heavily portrayed in your words Chris...

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Stella. These words written last year but only just posted. Amazing how heavy grief can weigh and how you respond. Thank you my friend. Have a good Sunday.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I like my friends to dig me. Just not in that way. Faron Young had his cremated remains strewn from a cliff. At the moment of dispersal the wind blew his ash all over the waiting bystanders and mourners. Johnny Cash recalled, "There we were with little pieces of Faron all over our shoes and clothes. We got into the car to head home and it started to rain and there went Faron, back and forth across our windshield. Faron would have thought that was funny, being the joker he was, so in essence, he got the last laugh on all of us. Life and death are great imposters of eternity. I wouldn't want anyone grieving over me. Life is like love; hard work, responsibility and sacrifice. It's a struggle on its best days. Death is just part of life. Aside from violence and violent ends I think it might come to many as a relief.

[Chris Shaw]

Ha! I smiled at your response Fabian. When we scattered my mum’s ashes we were aware of the care needed with regard to wind direction. Your story about Faron Young was entertaining. I thank you for your visit. Have a good Sunday.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

You too. Johnny Cash wrote about that in his autobiography, "CASH". Faron Young was the first man, outside of a pirate movie, I ever saw wear an earring. If you include pirate movies I guess Errol Flynn was the first.

[Ken Simm.]

It is the consumate poet who can be creativly good across the whole gamut of emotions from joy to as in this case sadness. And, here is my point, can do it in such a subtle and effective way. so that the reader walks away understanding. I will say it is perhaps a tad more difficult to do it with melancholy than it is with laughter. A finely structured piece.
Especially when the sadness is already in the public domain.

[Chris Shaw]

You are always so generous with your reviews Ken. Thank you for your kindness. Have a good Sunday.

[andrew mitchell]

Nice work Chris, I couldn’t quite help thinking of that missing woman Nicole I think when you mentioned dredging. We never really except our mortality when we lose a loved one because the memories don’t let go.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank Andrew. It is a complete mystery what has happened to her. In the news every day it is. I appreciate your thoughts.

[andrew mitchell]

Beyond comprehension!

[Chris Shaw]

Indeed. Disappeared off the face of the earth without any clues being left :(

[Ken e Bujold]

an ode to ponder my friend. a warning to cherish the moments you have wrapped in the sorrow of losing. an exquisite rose indeed

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ken for your visit and thoughts. Always appreciated. Have a good weekend.

[Ken e Bujold]

you too chris. not doing much myself though. M and I just back from 3 days in the big smoke. saw a hockey game and couple of stage plays, so this weekend just going to be rot and read

[Chris Shaw]

rot and read sounds pretty relaxing - enjoy