Without Witness

for the here and now
a clutch of eggs remain safe
while marina lake rises
after recent downpours
of april rain

not straying further
than a meter away from
their soon to be cygnets
cosy near the waters creep
swans work with diligence

beaks pull at random
rushes and dried grasses
or any useful loose vegetation
to strengthen the build
of their fortress nest

swan eyes aware of mallards
close by and I wonder whether
they bore witness to what no one saw
until the sun rose after
friday night’s sleep

there by a pontoon finger
a woman’s coat and handbag
found where she slipped
swallowed into the dark deep
underworld

unnoticed

Reviews

[willweb]

Whoa!!! It is almost like the music changed right there at the end. We start with some soft flute and violins playing peaceful serenity as the mind pans the water watching nature float gently through the day and then....BAM!!! The cymbals crash and the electric bass starts thumping as we see what was left behind. That was way cool my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you will. Sadly the music did change. From beautiful and tranquil into a tragedy. Happy Easter to you my friend.

Chris

[red93]

Ooh Chris this is really quite spooky in its ending. Were you thinking of the Nicola Bulley disappearance, which I see is still ongoing in the Express Online - apparently HM Coroner is not satisfied with the Police explanation. Anyway a super Piece of light and shade, which you handle with your usual fine Skills ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly this is another lady who has a mystery surrounding her death. Her coat and handbag found on the pontoon of our marina. She was a good swimmer apparently. No doubt the inquest will have more to say. As for Nicola, the whole thing stinks. Light and shade indeed. Many thanks Tony. You are very much appreciated. You are so supportive.

Chris

[red93]

✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[emmajoygreen]

Oh dear goodness, talk about a dagger in the guts, Chris. That hurts. Most of the content is so serence and true to life.. am was nodding, seeing the goings on. Then.. THEN that end turns romantic into tragedy. You are such an incredible writer, truly are. I can still feel how I felt a minute ago. horror. Cold horror.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Em for your thoughts. Yes, like a blade in the guts when we found out what happened in such a serene setting and so close to where our boat is berthed. Life is so fragile.

Chris

[emmajoygreen]

Yes, it is.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris… Life is a Breath away. I think of the Opera… Swan Song 🎶… tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, your review is beautiful. Life is fragile. Thank you.

Chris

[Soren]

Holy smoke!!! This one caught me off hand. I was following this serene setting and its peaceful feeling with such a sense of safety and calm and then wham, I was hit by the twist ending. It all tied togeather with the foreshadowing of what the mallards had seen. This hit hard and the contrast of the beginning feeling and abrpt end made it masterful. A truely great piece.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Soren. I appreciate you. All the best.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

I like the beginning with the clutch of eggs remaining safe for now. I liked the sad ending too. Picturesque

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for stopping by Shelley. Happy Easter to you my friend.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

I hope you had a happy Easter too.

[Ken Simm.]

I am reminded for some reasons of the ancient Irish legend of the swans of Lirr. A sad and desolate tale. Beautifully written.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ken. I will have to check that legend out. Hope you are having a peaceful and contented Easter. All the best to you.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

https://ireland-calling.com/children-of-lir/?utm_content=cmp-true

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Oh, wow! By the end of the poem, I slipped as well. I had no idea where this one was headed, was so mesmerized by the beauty of your words, that I was swallowed into the dark deep underworld of words. "Oh, wow!" were the precise words that I exclaimed out loud at the end. This is really, really, really good. Bravo!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Linda, many thanks for your encouragement. I appreciate your visit and your thoughts. All the best to you.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

A killer ending here. The pleasant nature scenes fill us with peace, until the ending advises us that a tragedy has occurred. We should never forget the guy with the scythe is ever with us.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right John. He is never far away. Many thanks for stopping by. You are appreciated.
read moreYou are so right John. He is never far away. Many thanks for stopping by. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

a very sorry scenario
did she slip or was this purposefully done
the lake becoming a stage for both rebirth and loss of life
somewhere, a sad family

[Chris Shaw]

One person was held by the police for questioning but later released without charge. I believe it was a tragic accident. No doubt the inquest will provide more info. So very sad Dave. Many thanks.

Chris

[William Michael Reeves]

The lake harbors, as well as hides. The Swan wants to keep her clutch secret where a secret life met it's demise. Wow! The more I think about that the more profound it becomes. Life goes on where life came to an end. There was more to this poem than meets the mind.

[Chris Shaw]

Many Thanks Bill. Yes the lake gives and it also takes. Happy Easter to you.

Chris