Seen With Sadness

take a long look at Winnie
commissioned in serious sepia
here she sits before a camera lens
focused to capture pale features

her long dark ringlets cascade
in a wild mane over her shoulders
her sad expression as though
she knows her days are numbered

encumbered with a disease
which stole her breathing
sent her on a journey of no return
robbing her four brothers of a sister

the child is sixteen has barely lived
a portrait at the behest of parents
ensures she is dressed in her best
buttoned and covered to the throat

i hold her in warm hands
over a century since her demise
her eyes colder with the years
gathering the dust of bygone tears

Reviews

[Perdition]

Without the photograph, your words describe this fate and make the heart fall. There is nothing worse or nothing more glorious than the courage of a fated soul pressing on and on. Words to live and words to fight with as the inevitable walks toward peace, for '"Death be not Proud" a Donne stab at death's power in the end...the "slave to kings who creates the wars" (paraphrasing)~ Wonderful write Chris~

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All the best.
read moreThank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All the best.

Chris

[Perdition]

Nope, lol. In the photos lie the wolves that are waiting for me...Foxes actually but when I return after I leave tonight or tomorrow I most certainly will try to both write more and read as well. Honesty, ya gotta hate it..lol..smiles Chris, and thanks for your reviews and kind responses!!

[Chris Shaw]

Oh no, not that dreaded read more that pops up unwanted. Why does it do that? So rude don’tcha think:))

[Perdition]

Perhaps, maybe in such light? Just know that I want to shut off the screens when I'm with pops and with the wolves and the mountain ..then I come back refreshed. But also must make time for writing and much more other things as such, though I understand, I also must gauge time for many other arts as well...we all do really. It's a wonder we sleep at all as I know I average an hour or so a day. Namaste Chris and will read or try. Smiles!

[Perdition]

Ah!...just now understood those annoying ads are what you meant..lol. Oops. Yep! They are annoying as...!

[The_Ancient_Rock]

Nice... sharp... and to the point...

Good poem...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[The_Ancient_Rock]

You are most welcome Chris.

[ogirhsog]

There doesn't really seem to be any rhyme or rhythm to this poem, so I techniquelly wouldn't classify it as a poem. What it describes is rather heartbreaking though. It sure can hurt to lose a loved one, especially when they're still rather young. Don't you think?

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your visit and for sharing your thoughts. Always sad when the young are lost to illness. Have a good day.

Chris

[Soren]

A sad remembrance kindled by a photograph. So well written it, like the person themselves, has a short life in its few lines but lives on in the poetry just like the photo.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Soren. She is remembered still. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[1809 Black Plague Decem..]

Good evening, Chirs Shaw,
I like the saddening portrayal of a girl turned woman,
the slopes of her eyes, yeah,
I think it of a painting instead of a pictorial,
I think of her something of complete beauty, even if fallen,
an embrace that doesn't co-exist, great write! Dear,
---1809 Black Plague December

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... your dedication to your Sister reminds me of lovely Wisteria with shades of Lavender
that appear in the Wild and in Gardens. My Mother passed at age 58 and all she taught me about love and passion is shared in Poetry. Our loved ones do live on in our music and paintings in Words of Poetry.
Softly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Hello dear Pat, first let me wish you the happiest of birthdays on our Saint George’s day, patron saint of England. Thank you for sharing your mother and what she taught you. She taught you very well. A sad loss at 58, no age by todays standards. Winnie is my great aunt who passed over at 17 from TB. I am very fortunate to have both my sisters still living. They have been an incredible blessing. I hope your day is one to remember and your family spoil you.
Sending love across the waves.

Chris

[red93]

Beautiful Work again Chris. The power of these old sepia Photographs to move us and magically transport us back to former days. The days of Empire, and before 2 World Wars nearly destroyed this 'sceptred Isle'. Fabulous ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony. You are so right. There is such a fascination in these old sepia photos. So much history. So many changes. Most for the better, but not all. We are family and yet …. we never met. Have a good day.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Hi there Chris,
Another really good poem to read before I finally get off the computer this evening...
reading and writing can be so addictive.
Anyway, I really enjoyed your words.
Looking at a old photo and writing about it is wonderful.
Your imagination is fabulous.
I could not decide if Winnie is a relative...or???
Either way... I really enjoyed the story...although quite sad.
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

Winnie, a great aunt who died at 17 of TB. Many thanks dear Lisa for your lovely review. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All good wishes.

Chris

[Lisasview]

I too had a Great Aunt Winnie, she was a twin...lived in Brighton...married, kids, etc...and, skinny.. Her twin Dorothy lived in Worthing, never married...and plump...I met Dorothy (my mothers favourite Aunt), when I was hitch hiking in Europe (1970's)
Lisa, remembering...

[Neville]

hey Chris, I found the perfect image in my own head when I closed my eyes of Winnie .. I imagine such an image must also surely exist outside my head .. captured safe and preserving her beauty .. oh' and baring more than just a passing resemblance of your good self perhaps .. a sad but life reflecting and well crafted memento I would place inside the frame somewhere behind her for to be found sometime in the distant future .. but then, that's just me ..

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville. Uncanny resemblance with Beth my granddaughter. Nothing like me. Very sad what happened to Winnie, but that was common back in the day. She was like a little sparrow. Very petite. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Dear Chris. Those ghostly photos can haunt us. You create life, history and a deadly sickness. Waiting for death. I wonder what you would want? Myself, I would want a good whiskey and be near the Lake Huron. Powerful and worthwhile poetry. Dear friend, you made the reader ponder many things.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote. Waiting for death. Yes, she knew it was imminent. I have her letters to a Baptist Minister. They are heartbreaking. I would settle for the brandy. A bit of Dutch courage needed:) Yes to the lake. I understand the need to be near water.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Waiting for death. Hard seconds dear Chris and you are welcome.