January Shadows

Father - Daughter

What would you make of me dear Dad,

if we could share a cup of tea

and watch the sail boats work the breeze

devoid of other company?

As I pour a stronger brew, look

into your long dead eyes, would you

linger there with me? Stay a while,

smile back and say, "I love you girl

no matter what." Or would you turn

to me and say "this time my dear

you've lost the plot".

I'm older now than you were then.

How strange it seems to me in dreams

we meet and both of us are old.

How warm you are when you break through.

How cold I feel, your absence felt.

Yet when you pierce that flimsy veil

the freeze soon thaws, the ice soon melts

and I again a child of ten,

recall with glee the laughter when

stories dipped in sugar water

never end in tears or slaughter.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

mixed memories of your dad, sometime jovial, other times more direct....but then you speak of dream-like times when you were young and was able to have fun with your dad...your dreams are filled with times of older ages....and younger ones as well...fathers and daughters have special relationships.... a special bond. Many of us go through this special time with our dads. A nice keepsake of your dad.
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Betty thank you for that lovely review. 32 years gone now. that is an awful long time.You are very much appreciated. 💐

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome dear friend!
Best, B

[Arundass TP]

A beautiful poem on relationship. Goo work friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Arundass. Your kind review is greatly appreciated.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

This was so touching. I feel the loss, pain, sadness, happiness , connection.
Know that your dad is in a better place and proud of his talented daughter.
At least poetry is purging our feelings.
Awesome!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami for choosing this poem. It is one that I was particularly pleased with. Just as I wish still, to be able to sit and chat to him over a cup of tea watching the sail boats. All the very best to you.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Nothing like it. Those special moments. You are welcome. Sailing away now, waving my goodbye.

[willweb]

This was absolutely and without a doubt heart touchingly beautiful. I could see this play out as I read. Your dreams and thoughts of your father are a reality to me because of your amazing poem. This has to be my favorite of yours Chris. Bravo.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you will for leaving such a lovely review on this poem. Pleased it is a favourite because it’s one that I was pleased with the outcome too. That doesn’t always happen. Hope your Thursday has been a good one.

Chris

[Stuart Munro]

Very nice poem , Chris , Brain escapism

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stuart for stopping by. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Still miss my Dad after 32 years. read moreThank you Stuart for stopping by. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Still miss my Dad after 32 years.

Chris

[Dennis Wolf]

Wonderfully depicted longing for the 'good old days'

Really appreciating those few and precious moments, sometimes can only happen after the knowledge that there won't be much more of them, and none with certain people.


It almost brought a tear to my eye, reading.
These seemingly simple and everyday moments are all part of our 'human experience' and should be treasured.
I liked the fact that there's no attempt at pushing away reality, but still you've managed to give back that sense of wonder.

Cheers

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dennis. It is a special memory I have of the summer before he died. I like to travel back there. I appreciate your very thoughtful review.

Chris

[Dennis Wolf]

You are welcome. :)

[red93]

Fabulous Chris. I love this. Again you have conjured the sensory - or extra-sensory - details perfectly. Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony. I appreciate your kindness. Have a good day.

Chris

[DIVYA]

It would be interesting if we could get to meet those of our dear ones who left us when we were so young. Perhaps, it would be a bit like meeting a much loved, familar stranger. It would certainly take some time to break the ice and we would reconnect and share all that had come to pass in those missed decades between us. How quickly we age, how quickly we pass...Life can never be the same after losing them. It's very true that a part of us dies irrevocably with them. I comfort myself with the thought that they are just behind a veil unseen, unknown, in a room nextdoor and we will join them soon. I could write and write and write but I'll end here. This poem is one of your most haunting and moving poems ever. It will stay with me always.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you DIVYA for your encouragement. Recently I envisaged all dead souls as fireflies in a forest, coming to visit us and bring us some joy. I might see if I can pen it. Your reviews always lift me. Writing this in the dark. Early here. Have a good day 🌸

[DIVYA]

I'll look forward to the poem. It's a very beautiful idea indeed. You're most welcome, dear Chris. End of my day here and I hope you're having a great one! 🙋‍♀️

[Ken Simm.]

Someone said to me not long ago that I was lucky not to miss my late father. Not true. In fact quite the contrary. you are so lucky to have a Dad that loved you and the memories that entailed.
I lovely sad, acoustic piece.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Ken. I was lucky indeed and my four siblings would say the same. We were all special to him. He never let us forget that. I’m sorry you don’t share that experience.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Another one of yours dear Chris that I immediately started to cry over.
Oh goodness to lose your father when you were so very young... Terrible..really terrible..
I really loved every word...every line
Your rhyme and easiness of it sang through.
I might say this is my most favourite of all of yours.... but then again.. I need to go back and reread them all to be sure. Because I recall so many that moved me.
Hugs,
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lisa. Actually I wasn’t that young when he died I was in my thirties, but he died far too young and his loss has been deeply felt ever since. 60 is no age at all. This month has been hard. A month of anniversaries and my mum’s as well. Roll on Feb. Thank you for your lovely review. I have some catching up to do.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Yes, I do remember January... so sorry but soon February will be here!!
Whatever age one loses their father it is so terrible.
My dear father was active and well...until he died at the age of 96!!!
I feel such pain over his loss..
Lisa