Wind Chime Tree

this hilltop climb
steeper than expected
slower walking an aging
canine

breathless
with each step taken
that grassy plateau nearer
dusted in overnight frosting
white winter bites hard
swallows on the tongue

sadness of four years passing
lingers on a pathway paused
to listen to the tinkle
of wind chimes carried
carried on a breeze of
swift sweeping

sweeping across our valley
weeping in remembrance of
a young vibrant life
last breath lost to youths
to a steel blade ambush
hotheads of stupidity

Olly Stevens RIP - age 13 🌹

Reviews

[Red Brick Keshner]

A(n almost) melancholic reverie… a wistful mood while walking… very relatable! 🙏🏻🕊

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Freds. Yes melancholic, the site where a young life was taken. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

Indeed, some places are quite sacred and hallow. You’re welcome, Chris 🙏🏻🕊

[Michael Sun Bear]

This is a nice piece Chris, As I read more and more of your poetry I find I enjoy all your writing. I must share with you, yesterday afternoon I explained the website to a friend who does not write, and I opened for her to read some of my favorite poems. After a few minutes she asked, doesn’t anyone write about happiness? Well that threw me. We do tend to be a morbid lot. Some of your poetry holds bittersweet nostalgia, and forgive me I am early in exploring your body of work, some of your poems were the closest I could find to writing about “happiness” Not this obviously, but I just had to tell you about her question. Maybe I just don’t read “happy.”

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Michael, it does seem to be that it is easier to write sad than happy. I mentioned it to Jacob the other day. Neither of us has an answer. Many of my poems are neutral, some sad and you might on rare occasions find a really happy one:) Anyway, I am so appreciative of you calling by to comment on my efforts. I hope you have had a good Sunday and a big thank you is on the way.

Chris

[Writergurl]

Such a sad write, yet touches the heart,
well expressed

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you writergurl. It is a sad subject but a reminder as to how cruel life can be and how short for some. I appreciate you.

Chris

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

Poetry of this kind remind us that life is a journey no one can predict sometimes, especially when it comes to when one have to leave forever without being able to say goodbye. It happens regardless of age and most of the time left everyone shocked and befuddled.

Hopefully you are doing great Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Kay, lovely to have a visit from you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am doing well thank you and very much hope the same for you. Best regards.

Chris

[Gee]

Seems to be the way of the world now, playground disputes settled with cold steel.
I think I remember you writing about this a while back, or another similar incident.

Beautiful words, extremely sad.
Good morning Christine, hope you are well.
Another storm on the way so staple on your wig and make sure your skirt is tucked into your wellies:))

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Gee, you have an excellent memory young man. Yes, I first wrote about Olly four years ago. I don’t go back to that beauty spot often, but took my dog there for a walk recently. It’s difficult. All ok here, hope the same for you. Yes baton down the hatches, here we go again. Lovely to get a visit from you. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Gee]

On site at 63 I'm the old man :))

[Chris Shaw]

Younger than me :))

[Gee]

I do not hear that many times. In my head, like most men, I'm still 12 years old. Drives my wife mad.... " when are you going to grow up"........NEVER :)

[John the Baptist]

A lovely rural setting gives way at the end to the memory of a tragedy. In a way, it is a metaphor for life itself. Beauty and blood.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. A tragedy indeed. We have expanding knife crime over here, particularly with youngsters. Such a sad state of affairs.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

With us, it's guns. What has gotten into people?

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This is so touching and heart wrenching, Chris.
Beautiful write.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear j. Your kind words appreciated.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

oh man, Ms. Christy! so moving .. every line on to the next ... i feel the deep sadness and senseless deaths around the globe encapsulated in you 13 yr. old Olly Stevens ... truly please find rest and peace .. oh so sad
E.
ps. wonderful title!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mr E. Sadly it is happening all the time here. Knife crime. Children on children. It is a great sadness. Thank you so much for stopping by. All the best.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

You describe the current atmosphere of this place so well in the chill of winter when the frost stings and memories are crisp.
This happened many years ago near me, my friend's 14 yr old boy, and my friend never got over it, she lost her mind in the end, so they killed her as well in reality.

[Chris Shaw]

So sad dear Stella about your friend and her son. This was so very close to where we live and has prevented me from going back to a favourite beauty spot. Thank you so much fir stopping by. All the best to you. 🌹

[MCS]

Sad words that punctuate a heart-breaking, senseless event. Nicely done my poet friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks dear Mary. Your thoughts always welcome and appreciated. All the best.

Chris