Shadow

Shadow

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

Amazing what gets dredged up in the memories. The pup’s name was shadow

"
outside the drawn floral curtains
in the scary dark night
a door closed

over and over
muffled whispers
of dad’s voice talking to
uncle phil

followed by sounds of
spades digging
in ground hardened by frost
striking on flint
grating on my mind
over and over

sharp stones in an untamed
garden in the cold of
winter

the dog had been sick
our fluffy black and white pup
my ears strained
what were they doing

and then
the penny registered
in my eight year old brain
dropping like a dead weight
hurting my heart

with horror
i listened to that scraping
and bedding down of soil
when i was unable to
shed a single tear

hiding
under the counterpane
trembling
like a small leaf buried
under a mountain of sadness

© 2025 Chris Shaw


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Reviews

Thank you, Chris 🌿

For sharing this … it returned me to my first pet, a sweet little Welsh Corgi stray I named "Lady". We went everywhere together.
A few things this poem proves (besides that you're a brilliant poetess) is how deeply Shadow became a part of a young girl's gentle heart, and of your long ago lasting happy and sad memories … I can still close my eyes and remember Lady as though she were here with me now.

Parts of us never seem to grow-up, and some things we never get over.
Blessings! ⁓ Richard🖌

Posted 1 Day Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Day Ago

Hello Richard, thank you so much for your review of Shadow and for sharing your story about Lady. Ye.. read more
Richard🖌

19 Hours Ago

Chris,
Your words have always inspired mine.
You are more than welcome ⁓ happy days .. read more
A most touching and sadness-filled poem; you write so effectively to convey the scars and emotions left all these years. Hard for an 8-year-old to fathom the realities of death even to a precious animal. Your poems are always top notch.

Posted 2 Days Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Day Ago

You are spoiling me Sami. Thank you for your kind words on this poem. Pleased you enjoy my poetry. H.. read more
Sami Khalil

1 Day Ago

You deserve it. And greatly appreciated.
"hiding
under the counterpane
trembling
like a small leaf buried
under a mountain of sadness"

Posted 2 Days Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Day Ago

Thank you Sami.
"and then
the penny registered
in my eight year old brain
dropping like a dead weight
hurting my heart"

Posted 2 Days Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Day Ago

Thank you Sami.
It's never an easy thing for a kid to go through, is it Chris? I bet when that penny dropped it did feel like you had swallowed a jagged mountain which tore at your heart.
Why do all parents think it best to not tell kids and leave their imaginations run wild into the dread zone?
I mean, I still tell myself my parents sent my goldfish to live on a farm and think about it every time I pass a flooded field.
I mean, it's not like my parents would lie, is it?

Posted 2 Days Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Day Ago

Hi Lorry, yes difficult for kids to deal with the loss of a pet. To be fair to my Dad, he told me th.. read more
Hi Chris, I confess my eyes welled and my spine chilled! An off-the-charts Story-Poem! I winced with every spade strike, imagined my then 8-yr-old daughter trembling in your waking nightmare! Wow!!!

Posted 2 Days Ago


Chris Shaw

2 Days Ago

I’ve never forgotten the scraping sound of the hardened ground as my poor little dog was buried. T.. read more
Dylan Macadham

2 Days Ago

Anticipation, satisfaction, feeling, spurs my stoppings-by :)
...Yes, Puppy Memories linger, .. read more
Wow. This one hits a chord. The first time we lost a pet as a child I simply could not understand for the longest time. ~Jim

Posted 2 Days Ago


Chris Shaw

2 Days Ago

Many thanks Jim. I appreciate your visit and the thoughts you have shared. All the best.
read more
Ooh mysterious Chris, where you leave so much unsaid and to the reader's imagination. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

Posted 3 Days Ago


Chris Shaw

2 Days Ago

Thank you Tony for stopping by. Your thoughts much appreciated. All the best.

Chris
Our pets are family. The are an important part of our lives. The loss of a pet is heartbreaking

Posted 3 Days Ago


Chris Shaw

2 Days Ago

So right PB and for a small child more so. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a great day.
read more
Poetic Beauty

1 Day Ago

You have a good day too
What a lovely name, Chris; quite intriguing as well and now a “perfect” poetic Shadow, brilliant poem 🙏🏻🕊
Freds.

Posted 3 Days Ago


Chris Shaw

2 Days Ago

Thank you Freds for your kind review. Pleased you enjoyed my childhood memory. Have a good day.
read more
Red Brick Keshner

2 Days Ago

You’re welcome Chris🙏🏻🕊
Read more…

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Added on February 17, 2025
Last Updated on February 17, 2025

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

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