Far From The Madding Crowd

i’d rather be in the company of a
dead poet than no poet at all

so armed with Seamus Heaney
who understands my outside world

far more than the living and is close
to emotions that can split seams

even though he has no heart beat
or blood pumping through his veins

i find clear water where the lake
creeps close to the lane in winter

it is summer magic and the surface
ripples are blinded by blazing sun

my back arched against a tree in shade
this quiet glade hidden by a canopy

of dense greenery is a haven of content
serenity reigns as life’s dross is far away

Reviews

[Ken e Bujold]

Lovely work Chris. seems a lot of peeps have heaney on their minds of late. Then again, that is as it should be, for few have as much to teach us as Bellaghy's bard. Your opening is as powerful a statement as can be made, and one i wholeheartedly subscribe to as well

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Ken for that great review. Yes, I am reading some Heaney at present. All the best to you and yours.

Chris

[Ken e Bujold]

same here, though i am pretty much always reading Heaney, have since my first brush with him in univ, 40 odd yrs back. My recent poem, An April Mourning is a recount of my visit to his grave a few yrs back

[Chris Shaw]

I’ll check your latests out later. chores calling and loudly :)

[Neville]

Jeez this is good .. I doubt it could ever be improved except by the addition of .. at the very end .. and even then, I have my utmost doubts it could .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Aw you are so kind. So pleased you enjoyed this one Neville. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

Bit confused seeing a poem that so mentions one of my favourite poets Seamus Heaney is titled from a book written by Hardy another of my favourite literary figures.
Having said that I find the poem much in a Heaney style with what it mentions and controls. This is a very visual style and I enjoy it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Ken. A nod to both of them. The surroundings reminding me of Hardy and the film with Julie Christie, Alan Bates and Terence Stamp , the book of course Seamus Heaney. Have a beautiful Sunday.

Chris

[Throwing Romeo]

Such a companion
Sharing breath
Stiring thoughts
Bound securely
Pulsing voice who
lives in quite
immortality.
Thank you for
Writing this gently
worded poetry.
Also thank you
for introducing
Him to me.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your words and your visit. I appreciate both. Have a lovely Sunday.
read moreThank you so much for your words and your visit. I appreciate both. Have a lovely Sunday.

Chris

[carl]

a companion of the heart if not in person is still someone to seek out and cherish. " close to emotions that can split seams." I think ( I hope ) we all have these imagined friends even if some are or have been real but never meet in person. I think the thing here that I like the most is you are meeting in a place where he would wish to be also. I know I have several and at times are just who I choose to spend time with . Nice reflection - carl

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Carl for your thoughtful response. Pleased you stopped by to read. All the best to you.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

A lovely picture indeed
Great beautiful descriptives

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Julie. Pleased you enjoyed. All the best.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

Hopefully not downwind, but close enough to enjoy each breathful of nature's splendor.
'Life's dross' and 'banger' are two newish introducties
You have created a wonderful little niche, away from the acids of life.

[Chris Shaw]

Ah, the dross and bangers of today. Thanks for the smile Dave and fur your visit. I appreciate you.

Chris

[FGFRANKLIN]

There's nothing better than a big chair under an umbrella in the sun with a favorite book and a cold drink at hand. I enjoyed this well crafted poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Fabian. Yes a favourite book in a lovely setting is an ideal for me. Pleased you stopped by today.

Chris

[red93]

Oh this is Fabulous Chris - and to work in Hardy and Heaney in the same Piece is a great achievement. Love it ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Tony, pleased you noticed both. Thank you for your kind and generous review. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Soren]

A calming piece that nature brings when we allow it to sooth away the daily human worries. A beautiful setting and I loved the pacing of the poem with the two line breaks giving rhythm. It brought vivid pictures and I felt myself sitting there.

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased you felt drawn in by this poem. I thank you for your very kind review Soren.

read moreSo pleased you felt drawn in by this poem. I thank you for your very kind review Soren.

Chris