Reminisce

this index finger on my write hand
settles on words written in
bold black ink

tracing the pathway
of a poet’s pen in slow motion
and repeating with reverence
over and over again

these lines harboured by time
scribed on the inside cover
of this book of longing

a gift

‘Why are we doing this today
she said’
‘So we can write about it for
years and smile’
he replied

and years later we continue
to smile as we write our poems

but in truth there is forever an ache
in that part of my heart
reserved for a poet
who fluttered a butterfly’s
dormant wings with his
words of romantic
yearning

Reviews

[Soren]

Beautiful Chris! Writing one of the greatest inventions that allows us to remember and keep for generations to come thoughts, history, and poems. A thoughtful and poignant piece with the sensitive touch of a poet.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Soren for sharing your thoughts on this poem. I appreciate your visit. All the best.

Chris

[Andrew John]

Interesting to see what poets think of their own experience of writing poetry. I can hardly remember using a pen, except to write notes, before sitting at a typewriter - oh, gosh, sorry, a keyboard. :(

But using keyboard or pen (or even typewriter) makes us wish to look back on our stuff, and often wonder who wrote it! Oh, gosh, 'twas I. Nice thoughts here, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Andrew, many thanks for sharing your thoughts on this poem. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Have a great Saturday.

Chris

[Lorry]

I do hope your first line was intended and not just a spilling errurrrr!
Just as I hope the book of longing is a nod to Mr Cohen's book with the title piece being the best opening poem of any book ever.
It is indeed an ache, but as the saying goes Chris, all artists must suffer for their art and we all know those quills be mightier, as well as sharper than the sword, butterfly or not.

[Chris Shaw]

It was indeed intended Lorry. Thank you so much and these lines are a nod to Mr Cohen’s book. I am sitting here shivering. So much for April.

Chris

[Lorry]

We where the same today, after three days of clear blues skies and the heap big yellow sky fireball putting in an appearance. Typical, I just stocked up on ice cream too! 😀

[Papaya]

There's an underlying tone of melancholy but also a feeling of peace that comes with these cherished memories. A beautiful poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ana for stopping by with such encouragement. Know you are appreciated.

Chris

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful. You make this come alive.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Thomas. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Pete]

sad and telling. i've always like that word 'reminisce' - just saying it speaks. much depth below the surface here. nothing worse than heartache.

[Chris Shaw]

I like that word too Pete. It has an elegance and an air of mystery about it. Many thanks for stopping by. So cold over here today. Have a great Thursday.

Chris

[Pete]

we had a cold night. late april sun is going to work. warm days and cool nights - fine with me. take good care chris. this world needs more poetry and music with less or no war.

[Chris Shaw]

So agree with you Pete.

[JessyJacob]

Hi chris,

Without you how my wedding goes,
Kindly blesd us.

Usha/jessy jacob

[D. Mansfield]

Very nice poem how have you been?

[Chris Shaw]

Hi my friend. Long time no see. I hope you are still writing. Thank you so much for stopping by. Lovely to get a visit from you. I am well and hope very much you are too. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.

Chris

[Poetic Beauty]

This is a beautiful yet sad tale two but one poet writing in this book. A deep longing for the missing person is palpable.

Well done with the meticulous word choices and the form in which this is written

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for the encouragement PB. I appreciate it. I have to say, I like this poem. I don’t always like what I write:)

[Poetic Beauty]

I don’t always like my writing either and then other times when I get a poem finished it is like where did this come from.

[...Relic...]

One never knows what's hiding in someone's heart. :)

[Chris Shaw]

The heart is a locked safe. Not on open view. Thank you :)