Veils

be careful where you place your trust
like dust it falls on solemn ground
you think you’ve nurtured
friends and then
you find
that they’ve been using you

don’t let their shade
blot out your light
the sky won’t lose its summer blue
and neither will the midnight stars
hide their sparkling eyes from you

the flowers in your garden fair
they won’t turn the other way
and neither will the blackbird stop
to greet you with a song
each day

the lakes will always be a friend
the morning mists will lift and then
with clearer eyes without the tears
pick up the shards
begin again

and harbour not the shadows cast
for life’s too short for hurts to last

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

I have a sneaking suspicion that you are much like me when it comes to giving trust to others in giving yourself for the sake of hopefulness:/ I have nurtured the grounds of many a poor soul over the years but every now and again one of them blooms into something beautiful and makes the wasted efforts look so unimportant:) one or two of those efforts still sting me too but I try to focus on the good ones and let the burning ones shrink to a faint whisper:) well scrawled dear Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Bunny, so right. Look for the positives rather than the ones who disappointed. Hope you are keeping well and a big thank you for stopping by today:)

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

The entire poem is excellent, but I am really partial to the second stanza about the shade and the summer blue.
And you know of one lake that will always be my friend...
We have to shed hate and hurt...underneath is the perfect wardrobe..love.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks J. Pleased you like the second stanza especially. Love is all we need.

Chris

[Neville]

.. If it needs to be said .. then say it well and like it is .. This is very good indeed Chris. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Silence is usually golden, but sometimes saying nothing just makes the situation worse. Pass my regards on to the game players and thank you Neville for your review.

Chris

[Sharrumkin]

Very Good.The concluding couplet is very well done. Life is too short to spend it obsessing over old wounds.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sharrumkin. Pleased you enjoyed the read and the final couplet. All the best.

read moreThank you Sharrumkin. Pleased you enjoyed the read and the final couplet. All the best.

Chris

[Ken e Bujold]

Melancholy reigns through this fair garden's patch. Though wisdom stands guard, warms the repentant seeker to joys of fairer days, sunshine on the Leith. ? Just riffing on the motif my dear. Lovely, if somewhat sombrous offering today. As always, superbly crafted.

Ken

[Chris Shaw]

No melancholy here Ken I assure you. Hope your Wednesday is a bright one. All the best.
read moreNo melancholy here Ken I assure you. Hope your Wednesday is a bright one. All the best.

Chris

[John Sullivan]

A wonderful piece! As it can be tough to lose some users and abusers, there is always hope. Leave the baggage behind... "for life's too short for hurts to last" I love that line... Powerfully done

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John for your review and stopping by. Much appreciated.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

This reminds me of a Bob Dylan song: "You have a lot of nerve to say you are my friend. When I was down you just stood there grinning."
I'm glad you took the high road ending, moving on without need for retribution.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Winston. I know that Bob Dylan song. Haven’t heard it for years. Have a good Wednesday.

Chris

[AYVID N]

It’s a tough act to forget a hurt, forgive a friend who wronged us or let us down. However, beautiful life may be, the pain paralyses us and for a time hinders us from moving on. Yet life can only be lived and it’s beauty appreciated after letting go. The seasons keep turning and no hurt will forever last. I loved the way you said it Chris. I related deeply and your words will stay with me.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you DIVYA for your thoughtful review. You have been missed. Pleased to see you back here posting.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Your eye for nature serves you well in stating a basic truth here. Whatever human shortcomings you might encounter, the sky and the stars and the flowers will always be there to remind you of the beauty of life.

[Chris Shaw]

Nature can teach us much John. Thank you kindly for stopping by. Have a great Tuesday.

read moreNature can teach us much John. Thank you kindly for stopping by. Have a great Tuesday.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

This is so true in life...we tend to harbor hurts because they are damaging to our whole being; but nothing has changed.....the sun still shines, the stars still sparkle... the flowers still blossom and the birds still sing..we can't take a hurt too seriously...and try to move on...well done Chris, love the words and the rhyme....
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Betty. Started this one weeks ago, just managed to complete it. Really appreciate your kind review. Have a happy Tuesday.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Chris
Warmly, B

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris .. your Poem is blessed against my Breast where Eagles nest on Mountain tops surrounded by the Clouds of Hope for Eternity. Amen 🙏… Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Happy Tuesday dear Pat and thank you for your very poetic review. Sending love across the waves. read moreHappy Tuesday dear Pat and thank you for your very poetic review. Sending love across the waves.

Chris