Slipway

(Observations)

here
where little egrets wade by day
where plovers peck at weed
and gulls parade on cobbled stones
wetted by tide’s glisten

swans gracefully glide
as black water rises
to a gentle lap lap lap

town clock strikes twelve
midnight sleeps
echoes carried on time passing
amber street lamps flicker

old man pauses
hands clutching stale bread
pieces torn and thrown
bit by bit
reach salt water surface

watch the commotion
hear the noise of gull chicks
screeching greedy
ear shattering cacophony
a free for all din
in a mass of wing flap
hovering

see white feathers ruffled
angry
to converge within seconds
for late night bother
all manners lost in the
feasting

survival mentality
how very human

Reviews

[Michael Sun Bear]

Hello again Chris. Your poem is gentle and so very lovely, a very nice bedtime story for me. It brought back memories, left me trying to count all the places in the world I had fed torn bread to ducks and geese. With so much violence raging in the world, it’s nice to reflect and wonder just how many people, wherever they may call home, share memories of birds upon the water, stale bread torn and thrown, all that noise and wings a flapping. Such a universal activity of peace and love.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello MSB, so pleased you enjoyed this poem of a favourite place that my family visit a couple of times a year. Pleased it brought back so many pleasant memories for you of when you too had fed birds over the years. Thank you so much for stopping by today and sharing your thoughts. All the best.

Chris

[Martiya Daman]

Slipway paints a vivid scene of nature intertwined with human behavior. The imagery is rich, and the connection to survival instincts feels profound yet relatable. A beautifully reflective piece, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Martiya for sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Thomas W Case]

Beautiful painting of the scene.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Thomas. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Dylan Macadham]

I applaud the Contrast, Chris ... Lovely, peaceful, tranquil > Raw Survival.
Nature's human-ity, a slippery Slipway.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Dylan. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Poetic Beauty]

I love the scene with the birds and their feasting painted in this poem and how survival isn’t just animals but humans as well.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much PB. Happy new year to you. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.

Chris read moreThank you so much PB. Happy new year to you. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.

Chris

[MCS]

I always enjoy my visits here. This is beautiful in word and imagery. Thank you for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much MCS. You are appreciated. All good wishes for the new year.

Chris

[MCS]

Thank you my friend to you as well.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Luscious. I am jealous how well you worked with syntax to enjamb these lines. Of particular note this one:
a free for all din
in a mass of wing flap
hovering

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Winston for stopping by. Pleased you enjoyed this poem. Happy and healthy new year to you and those you hold dear.

Chris

[Trace]

Very interesting, l kinda saw your writing as if you were looking at a painting and interpreting what you observed. It must have been a colorful night.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Trace. I was looking down on the harbour from a balcony of the cottage we were staying in. Yes, it was like a moving painting. The peaceful scene soon turned manic :) Appreciate you stopping by. Have a very happy new year. All the best.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I love to feed the birds. We get lots of wild in our garden
The cockatoos can be the greediest and take more than their fair share taking three or more bits in claws at once ! beautiful though

Loved your poem

Happy safe healthy new year to you Chris x

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Julie. I was feeding the birds in my garden today. A few bits of bread and within a couple of minutes, there must have been 40 or so swooping low to feed. So interesting to watch. Sending you love and best wishes to you and yours. Happy and healthy new year.

Chris 🌹

[Red Brick Keshner]

Anthropomorphic avians! All in the one place. That could get quite loud really quickly! A pleasure as always. Happy New Year Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Freds, it did get loud. Very loud😂. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your kind new year wishes. Reciprocated to you and those you hold dear. 🥂🍾

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

Cheers Chris! 👍🏻