Loved Without Saying

( inspired by Neville’s poem The Look On His Face That Said Everything)

i didn’t get the chance to
tell my father how much he
meant to me

i feel sure in my bones he knew
and my blue mood is unnecessary yet
it is a regret for which I can’t
atone

curtains surrounded his hospital bed
they were drawn in mourning
it was a cold winter evening
he looked so alone

the dam burst
my tears fell on his closed eyes
then trickled down his pale
cheeks to dampen the new cotton
pyjamas purchased the day
before

i planted kisses on his brow
for each of my four siblings then
reluctantly after a while i stood
back to pause and look on his
much loved features

he had borrowed my tears
he was crying too

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Chris my friend, this is so poignant, it reminded me of my father's last days and almost hoping in a way that he would close his eyes and silence would prevail; then he would be at peace....you certainly wrote an outstanding poem showing us your mood in this precious scene, making sure your dad heard you and I do think he did...and how you exchanged tears right before the end....and how stunning he looked .....
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Betty. I appreciate your thoughts. Have a great weekend.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome dear Chris... and have a sunny weekend!
Warmly, B

[Neville]

I am honoured to get a mention here Chris & I thank you for that .. even just to be on the same page as these words for your father, who I know you miss and love dearly is an honour .. it seems we have more in common than some might wish or indeed imagine .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Your moving poem about your father inspired this poem Neville. It made me reflect on my own father and the guilt I still feel about missing his passing. Couldn’t have been more than thirty minutes. When I arrived, he just looked as though he was sleeping until a nurse told me he had passed. Your lovely review means alot. Thank you kindly.

Chris

[Kim S.]

This is so heart tugging really, I can feel your emotions through out your wonderful write.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Kim. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[mou]

The endless love of a daughter for her father and those everlasting moments of a beautiful family... Dear Chris, if I say I can exactly feel you then it will be not right as we all experience things and situations in a unique, and very personal way. I just want to say that I can understand how it feels to write those moments on a piece of paper. I crossed this path when I was 23 years old.

'...curtains surrounded his hospital bed
they were drawn in mourning.../
my tears fell on his closed eyes
then trickled down his pale
cheeks to dampen the new cotton
pyjamas purchased the day
before.../
he had borrowed my tears
he was crying too...'

When I read those lines, I felt as if you were depicting it for me. I'm not writing this as a review. Chris, you are very kind and a beautiful daughter.

-Love from mou

[Chris Shaw]

Dear mou, many many thanks for such a beautiful review. Your words touched me.

Chris

[Victor D. Lopez]

What a wonderful, powerful, write that at once breaks and lifts one's heart. I told both my mom and dad often that I loved them while they lived--my mom long after she no longer recognized me and could not speak. It does not help. Regret not the failure to express your love in words--it is the cheapest and least meaningful of the ways you no doubt let him know it. The echo of words dies almost as soon as they are uttered. But the infinite tiny acts of love done without intent or thought will ripple through the universe until the end of time. He knew. He knows. I bid you peace.

[Chris Shaw]

What a beautiful and thoughtful review you have left me Victor. So much appreciated. Have a lovely weekend.

Chris

[keith]

i want to post a single word but this place won't let me
so here goes ...'magic'

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Keith. So pleased you like this one. Have a happy weekend. All the best.

Chris

[Writergurl]

This is so touching really. reminds me of all the losses in my family. Very well expressed

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for a very thoughtful review. Your time is welcomed and appreciated.

read moreThank you so much for a very thoughtful review. Your time is welcomed and appreciated.

Chris

[JC]

Beautiful poem of tragic loss. Reminded me of the loss of my father as well, and all the others that I never got to say goodbye to. I never seem to understand that I can lose someone at any moment and should live that way.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you JC for leaving a thoughtful review. Been a while since I saw you on WC. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Soren]

"he had borrowed my tears
he was crying too"
What a great image here Chris. It finishes this poem with an extended meaning that was not expected but so inspirational and deep in meaning.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for a lovely review Soren. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Relic]

I agree with John. I think they know somehow wherever they are. My mother once said to me, how can we just leave after being here for so long.

This is a moving one, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Tim. Pleased you enjoyed. Have a good weekend.

Chris