When Words Mean Nothing

When I miss her now, I think of this and know that although it was a long time coming, she got her wish.

I, a so called poet,

who can burn a blank page

with word rage,

can turn a lively sparkling sea

into a calm, soothing balm.

Who can conjure up a sunrise

or sink the sun beyond a horizon

paint words in colour

on a grey wet day

evoke the scent of a rose

in the throes of midwinter

and melt snowflakes in summer heat.

I can convey all this

and yet

when my beloved Mum

elderly and frail,

ailing and sick

tells me she wants to die,

all I can do is sigh

and tell her I love her.

I have no words

that will bring her a crumb

of comfort 

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

Whoa… a Crumb of Comfort… my Mum was a Nutritionist and fed her family lots of Healthy Food. To this day I think of my Mum’s Wisdom.. and yet when the Cancer took over her Liver, she became paralyzed and could not speak clearly. However, the Doctor told us she could clearly understand everything said around her.. so we had to choose our words carefully until she took her last Breath. Chris, your Poem has touched my 💜 Heart. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, thank you for your beautiful review and for sharing your much loved mother with me. Yes I too was told that hearing is the last to go. I was by my brother's side too when he died, along with my sister and sister in law. It's the last thing we can do, knowing they are with their nearest and dearest. Sending love across the pond on a warm afternoon.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Oh my God, Chris... This is such a powerful poem and ofcourse I am crying.. My heart is aching...
I know the feeling of that loss...feeling so so helpless.
Lisa, tears still coming in Spain

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Lisa, really appreciate your review. Thanks so much for stopping by this afternoon.

read moreDear Lisa, really appreciate your review. Thanks so much for stopping by this afternoon.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Good morning Chris,
It is always my pleasure to read your work.
Lisa, early here in Spain and already feels hot...

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Lisa. Early here, but not hot. Looks as though it will be a pleasant day. Enjoy yours :)

[Lisasview]

Now it looks like it is going to pour!! So strange..

[supernova_thoughts]

It is rather frightening and astonishing how we can never say a word when the bits are on our loved ones. Beautiful writing Chris!

ST

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you kindly supernova for stopping by to share your thoughts. You are appreciated.

read moreThank you kindly supernova for stopping by to share your thoughts. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Robert Haigh]

Indeed, words can only do so much. It is painful and difficult when we see a loved one slipping away. I saw my own mother die at home, in great pain. A cancer sufferer, finally succumbing to that awful fate, aged just 48. We remember those terrible final moments, but in time we think more about the good memories we still have. A poignant and heartfelt poem, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Robert. This is an old poem. It took my mum several years to get her wish. So difficult a subject to deal with. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I re read this it’s beautiful
I was there for weeks and then with mum holding her hand as she passed nearly 8 years ago
There’s a verse from a song title I can’t recall your poem reminds me of.’ You say it best when you say nothing at all ‘ beautiful write ✍️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Julie for a second visit and another lovely review. That song is beautiful.

Chris

[Pete]

so honest. tugging at heart strings. yes, that is all that you can do. there are no words - the word "love", a hug and being there speak volumes. you confront us with a difficult reality and take us to a place where few if any care to tread ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pete it is good to see you. Hope you are OK. Many thanks for leaving such an understanding review. Yes, sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we would rather not be, but we have to deal with them as best we can.

Chris

[Pete]

hi chris. i moved out of the city and am back in the country not far from walden pond! there is a wildlife refuge and river in part of my town. i am back living in a bordering town of thoreau's concord ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

You know Pete that move to the country seems a better option to me. A city girl I'm not even though I was born in the city of London. Give me country any day. Take care of yourself :)

[Dave]

With all the beauty you invoke nothing compares to the love one shares with someone so close to your heart. Beautifully done Chris.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave for your thoughtful review. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Dave]

You make it so easy and so worthwhile.
Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

That's a kind thing to say. Have a lovely day Dave :)

[Dave]

You too. We have been blessed with lovely weather.

[Stuart Munro]

Words become weak when suffering grief , Very good Poem

[Chris Shaw]

How very true Stuart. Thank you. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Stuart Munro]

It’s a poetic pleasure

[Temperance]

Sometimes silence speaks louder than words. You express the talents of a poet quite well and how heartbreaking the loss for words can be. This is a sad poem that is more than a loss for words. It’s a loss of hope for the writer and offers no comfort to the reader. Very nicely done!! Temp

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Temp. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[red93]

Fabulous Chris you are hitting your stride now and the shackles are falling off. A truly memorable and beautiful elegy for your dear Mother. You are still I am guessing in the 'deep mourning' phase of bereavement. Remember your Mother is with Jesus and no harm shall come to her now ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Tony. Many thanks for your thoughtful review. You are appreciated. Have a good Tuesday.

Chris