Take It

Make of it what you will, one from the archives

Take it,

take it, take it all,

my books, my china and my home.

Take every bloody thing I own

and don't forget the treasures too

left in the bedroom, top drawer chest.

And after that why don't you take

the polish from the kitchen floor,

and then the crumbs upon the plate.

It's not enough? 

Then here's some more.

Take it, take it, take the rest.

Take my garden flowers fair,

take all my unkempt wavy hair,

each single lash about my eyes,

both eyebrows and my energy.

My haemoglobin, throw that in

and drain the colour from my skin.

Take everything and leave me bare,

there's nothing left for you to bin.

But leave me, leave me, leave me please

I'm pleading now and on my knees,

please spare me my own dignity.

Reviews

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Sometimes we need peace at any cost. This is what your words say to me. This poem has the right amount of distress, drama and despair to stop me in my tracks and I tip-toed in to look in on you. Wishing you all the best things, always! ❤️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ditzy. Don't you fret now. One from the archives. I don't do heavy poetry very often :)read moreThank you Ditzy. Don't you fret now. One from the archives. I don't do heavy poetry very often :)

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I’m happy now Chris :)
Looking forward for my treats soon 😺❤️

[.]

I know it's from your archive but I couldn't help but write on it as I am touched by this so much. Yes dignity... The best and foremost thing in ones life... How can we live without it! If we do the wrong then it's our prerogative to even the uneven but if we are not in the wrong then we should walk holding our head high... Your poem is very heart wrenching here. I appreciate it so much.. ❤

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sima, so pleased to see an old poem get an airing. I very much like it when my old work comes out for a breath of fresh air. Thank you for responding to this one.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Trying to preserve one's personal dignity--in such a seemingly desperate situation--
is not easy.
Stunningly stated, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Jimmy for giving this old poem an airing. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - I don't believe I've ever heard such desperation from you. I'm so sorry if this is your situation. I hope and pray that this isn't the case. My best wishes are with you.

Please take care - Dave

[Davidgeo]

You have tight meter discipline. Not perfect, only TS Eliot is perfect in my opinion. But good god damn, your writing is very tight. I love that about you.

The meaning I got from this is my own and I'm not currently interested in sharing it with you right now. (if you pm me, of course I'll tell you)

[alanwgraham]

Hard hitting and wonderfully expressed. There are times (for some) when dignity is worth all. I'm amazed at how prolific you are and your standard never wavers. I'm always interested in where these ideas come from and how the creative process works. Maybe that should be the next thing to write about. I guess we are all different.
I'm jealous!
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

What a love!y review Alan. Not as prolific as I might seem. Many I post are from my archives, although I have been writing more new stuff recently. Poetry and I go back a long way. The ideas, based sometimes on fact, some embellished and sometimes not. I write about anything which interests me. My muse drives me nuts on I occasions. Thank you so much.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

That's interesting Chris. For me I don't search for inspiration.it just seems to spark from everyday events but may lie dormant for ages.
Thanks for the reply.
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome. Have a great day Alan. We all create in our own way, our own style :)

[Sarah K Cass]

That's pretty hard hitting!

[Chris Shaw]

Hard hitting it was Amber. Thanks for checking in.

Chris

[Relic]

No one gets my haemoglobin. :) You're always good, period.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tim. I appreciate your comments.

Chris

[Miss Sharon]

An emotional write so well written and expressed from the depths of your soul. Much enjoyed the read. ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Sharon. Pleased to meet you. You are very welcome.

Chris

[Pete]

a lighthearted look at a serious situation. reads like a declaration of independence. as long as life doesn't take our shadows we're still standing. good one Chris, just woke up my afternoon ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pete. Sorry if it was so noisy it woke you up :) all good wishes

Chris

[kentuck14]

Chris,
good poem. Reminds me of the old song, 'They can't take that away from me.'

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Tom. I remember that song. I'm sure Ella used to sing it. She was a firm favourite of my Dad's. All good wishes.

Chris