Through The Veil

I've been doing much research on my ancestry. A poem addressed to my Great grandfather James

I thought of you today

the music was to blame.

You filtered through my soul

and greeted me in pain.

Now after all these years

of never knowing you,

why do you visit me?

I haven't got a clue.

Perhaps you came to say

you died in quiet shame.

Upon an old park bench

your only claim to fame.

It's others that you hurt

through drink you lost it all.

I've tried to understand

believe me I have trawled

Through memories and words

and though we've never met.

I think I understand

but still I can't forget

what Grandma wouldn't say

when asked about her Dad.

She turned the other way

her face was stained and sad.

But older me knows too,

we all have our own flaws.

I've been looking at my own

as well as all of yours.

And who am I to preach,

so when I think of you,

you may be out of reach,

yet love still trickles through.

Reviews

[Stella Armour]

This resonates with me Chris, i too trace family trees, and have learned so much about a grandmother i never knew yet have always felt close to.

Things were different and very hard hard in those days and so we know we must not judge.

it is strange how someone who passed on so long ago who we have never been told about can somehow slip into our hearts ..

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Stella, it is strange, but when I find out about them all, I really feel connected. It plays on my emotions. They had such terribly hard lives back then. Warfare, loss of children through diseases which have now been eliminated, lack of work, lack of healthcare, lack of housing. We all have our limits and I wonder sometimes how they ever managed, Maybe it was because everyone was in the same boat?

[Stella Armour]

well yes until i traced this grandmother of mine i ddin't know her fist child was out of wedlock then she married and had several more, then she left him took all the children to live my my grandfather , had six to him of which he did not father one of them but a Spanish lodger did and my grandfather took him on as his own, then grandfather died on the outside toilet laeving her with all these children to bring up and then she died of tb. Dreadful times, but all this it seems was not unusual... they slept with lodgers to get money to feed the existing children

[Chris Shaw]

Terrible lives they led by our standards today.

[Jimmy Yetts]

Lovely and rather unique.
Though human beings are thoroughly fallible, they rarely start out to hurt others and disgrace themselves.
An evolved, empathetic and merciful piece of work, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

That is a perfect review Jimmy. Thank you

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

It is funny how old age teaches us understanding.
"But older me knows too,
we all have our own flaws.
I've been looking at my own
as well as all of yours"
The above lines. All of shall learn. Thank you Christine for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

I think that with the years come a certain amount of wisdom Coyote. Compassion and understanding hurts no one. Thank you for reading.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Chris and you are welcome.

[Beccy]

This is a lovely and reaffirming poem, that says no matter what, family is family and that forgiveness brings with it a peace of mind and the acceptance that we are all flawed in some way or another.

Beccy.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Beccy. How could we possibly we judge them? We have no idea of the hardships they suffered.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

Very good Christine. I'Ve been thinking more about my forebears as I've got older and I think it does help you to know who you are. Also looking at how your own children relate to you. The famous quote from Burns 'to see ourselves as others see us ' is of course the main stumbling block in any self analysis.
It is a great topic for writing and I enjoyed yours.
Regards.
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Alan. I find the whole subject of ancestry very interesting. Our forbears led very hard lives, we should never forget that. Things we take for absolute granted would have been luxury beyond compare to them. I expect you are back home from hols? I always appreciate your reviews Alan.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... your poem is very real as many have seen through the veil. Many of us have been hurt by this phenomenon. Even wine from delicious grapes needs to be dipped a bit
only with a meal. truly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Pat, if that has happened to you, that is really sad to hear. And I agree that researching your ancestry can in fact reveal surprises. Thank you so much for reading my poem and your response.

Chris

[¿]

Strange the thing is that a poem can be relatable to so many persons...and the poet stays unknown!
This poem does the same...I've seen many person being puzzled in their life and they totally lose their judging sense in the wave of emotions....
It's really nice of you to share such true parts of life with us!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tahsin for your warm response.

Chris

[¿]

Always welcomed!😊