Ruby For Us

a date ringed in red
on a February calendar
fixed to an old kitchen wall
saw the only snowfall of winter
settle in hushed silence

as a Liverpool lad prepared
to wed his London lass
with a celebration for family
and friends who had travelled
from afar

who no doubt uttered a few
well chosen expletives at
uninvited white stuff and a
downslide by degrees on their
thermometers

while still enjoying
a fine three course meal at
Pangbourne’s George Hotel
with its roaring log fires
freshly pressed table linen
and roots tucked into Medieval
history

with the ghost of Betty Price
a sixteenth century witch
present in the narrow corridors
who died in the dark cellars
where she hid from her superstitious
captors

but not before she cursed
the place and the local parson
together with anyone else
who played a part in her
demise

no worries there for us
or from the detective we chatted
to as he propped the bar up
long after our guests had
departed

who delighted
on hearing of our nuptials
gleefully informed us that
our chances of happy ever afters
with our clash of personalities
was precisely zilch

well he got that one wrong
didn’t he darling

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I love the wedding. I haven't been to any lately. Always a interesting conversation to be found. I liked the description of people and life dear Chris. Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote. I love weddings too. Sadly there don’t seem to be that many these days. It is more funerals. Have a good Sunday my fellow poet.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Me too. Too many funerals and you are welcome dear Chris.

[Shelley Warner]

A snowstorm threatens to upend their plans, but they go forward in a venue with a dark past. I like that. And I like that the couple has had a good life together.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Shelley for your warm comments. Pleased you stopped by. All the best.

[Shelley Warner]

You're welcome and all the best to you too.

[M]

Such an enchanting setting for a wedding and I love that little bit of myth and intrigue thrown into the happy chaos of the day. Nice to know that even the snow and falling temperatures plus the failed detective nous of the local 'Sherlock Holmes' didn't dampen the day and obviously the many years enjoyed since then. It's always nice to prove someone wrong, isn't it? Congratulations on the milestone, Chris. I enjoyed this little snippet of your special day.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Makhabat. You know we have spoken over the years with a smile about that Detective. (unlucky in love he was, drinking his sorrows away.) He added to the memories of an unforgettable day. Pleased I could share a little with you.

[Patricia Wedel]

As a Liverpool Lad prepared to Wed his London Lass… so extraordinarily poetic and charming. Be blessed. gently, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pat. Yes a northerner left his roots behind to find love with his southern softie and is more than happy that he travelled the distance :) Thank you for the return visit.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

great poem Chris. Loved the witty biting ending. Proving those naysayers wrong is just the best answer of all. They should be lucky to find a lasting love themselves. CLE

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Carlos for your warm thoughts. Pleased you enjoyed my anniversary poem. Especially pleased you stopped by. You are appreciated.

[Lisasview]

Well, well, well, a Ruby Anniversary... Hey, is there a new stone on your finger>>>> dare I ask??
Such fun to read this and be a part of your occasion... Pretty scary how time flies by..
Although I am not on my first marriage..I am still with Bob since 1980!!! Yikes...a love made in heaven...luckily us..of course you are included dearest Chris..
Loved it...and I am in a funny mood tonight..
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

No new stone on my finger :))Our grandchildren can’t contemplate spending 40 years with the same person Lisa. We tell them our generation believes in fixing stuff not throwing it out:) You are right about time passing by so quickly. We have had a lovely celebration. Thanks dear Lisa for your warm thoughts.

[Lisasview]

Good morning Chris,
I was just joking about the ring...Most people do not do that sort of thing... And, you are right about working on things..Of course that does depend on the relationship..I am not on my first marriage... (I just could not put up with cheating) but I have been with Bob for 40 years...we joke about wishing we had been together earlier in our lives... but destiny stepped in and we needed to follow its lead. We are big on communication..We feel that is the key..
Finally, posted something new.. AWAKEN..a Ballad..really difficult to write...
Lisa, cold outside but cozy here in my art room

[Dave Brown]

That must be a very special occasion, especially with the current trend in divorces.
Since watching 'Move to the Country' I am much more aware of how deeply England is steeped in history and your reference to the ghost of Betty Price almost seems like an everyplace occurrence throughout the Isles
Congrats on your anniversary
Does this mean Birthday and Anniversary are neck to neck or did I misunderstand about the cake I missed?
(couldn't get any real info on Betty Price who must surely be worth a poem of her own)

[Chris Shaw]

Birthday and anniversary are close together. The cake was for birthday. We took the whole family out to celebrate our anniversary which was really special. Our grandchildren can’t contemplate spending 40 years with the same person :) We tell them that our generation believes in fixing things not throwing them out. Yes England is steeped in history and tradition. Thanks for your congratulations. You might find more on Betty Price if you Google The George Inn at Pangbourne. Happy Sunday.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris… Congratulations on your Anniversary… I will be reading more about the Ghost of Betty Price. We have a “Betty Price” legacy here in Fredericksburg, Virginia USA where we live. I will do some research and let you know eventually .. what I learn. hugs, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, thank you for your warm congratulations. How strange that you too have a Betty Price story. I hope you can reveal more. Sending love across the waves.

[Ayvid N]

Happy Anniversary Dear Chris! 💐🙋‍♀️💕

You certainly proved him wrong but that was to be expected from such an amazing couple! It's time to celebrate, bring out those memories as treasured pearls, cherish them and all your blessings.

I loved this trip down the memory lane and that fascinating hotel where you celebrated your wedding. Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem. Here's wishing you many many more such joyous days.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks DIVYA for your warm thoughts and congratulations. Yes, 40 years is quite an achievement in a throw away age :) Our grandchildren can’t contemplate spending that amount of time with the same person :) Your reviews are much valued dear friend 🌺

[Ayvid N]

Its always such a great joy, dear Chris. Have a beautiful weekend. ⚘🙋‍♀️❤

[Lorry]

Forty years eh? How time flies, but not when you're talking about witches and curses. I bet you couldn't wait for the nuptials to be over and skedaddle elsewhere on honeymoon, perhaps somewhere without such colourful history.
A bit naughty from the disillusioned detective, but maybe he done you a favour by making you determined to prove him wrong.
If you met him again today, he'd probably just say you'd have been out by now... Or your hubby wood. 😊
Many congratulations on the ever continuing journey for you both.

[Chris Shaw]

You know Lorry, we have often spoken over the years about that Detective drowning his sorrows at the bar. Yes, unlucky in love :) Our grandchildren can’t begin to contemplate 40 years with the same person, let alone marrying them:)) We tell them we believe in fixing things rather than throwing them out. Thanks for stopping by.

[Lorry]

We done a lot wrong, but some day they'll see what we got right too.

[Chris Shaw]

Aye. We also know the importance of freedom and freedom of speech which seems to be flushed down the pan more and more these days :)

[Lorry]

I know, bless 'em. I'm still sticking to my hardcore versions or Roald Dahl, where words like fat and ugly are still allowed. Pah! It's only words and they do come in handy to explain fat, ugly people. Plus, isn't enormous more of an insult than fat? Blah! 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, we are the same. We like the fat controller in Thomas the Tank!! The world is going bloody nuts and we aren’t going down that path. Don’t get me on pronouns or that tart Sam Smith who incidentally I’ve bought his music in the past.

[Lorry]

I know. I'm all for letting people be what they identify as (yes, really... If we let everyone be, think how many problems would disappear!) but all this "they" lark ill just pretend I can't hear and shout "I'm deaf! They who? And look around confused for more than one of what we used to call people. I better stop before I annoy the hipsters again, like they're a bloody race! 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Of course. Happy that you identify as a penguin Lorry. Live and let live but leave the English language as it is. It’s survived thousands of years and was good enuff for Shakespeare and his ilk. Happy Sunday.

[Sami Khalil]

I was happy to see the wedding commence, then got intrigued by the witch and the end-game of the marriage.
Very interesting. Not sure how long the wedding lasted.
Thank you for sharing dear Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Sami. Just reflecting on that special day forty years ago. We have just celebrated again with family and friends. Ruby anniversary.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are welcome muchly. Congratulations