Balloons and Brothers

Balloons and Brothers

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

(Remembering my younger brother 7th anniversary 12.8.21 forever loved)

"
A gust of wind whipped my balloon,
on string tucked in my hand it tugged.
My fingers felt the final slip,
I held on tight but lost my grip,
I watched aghast it sailed away.

I've not forgotten that day when
my young voice strained and screamed out loud.
My loss etched deep, a child's despair
as floating red, reclaimed by air,
my smile replaced by blue dismay.
 
I search this morning's pink streaked sky
recall our childhood you and I.
As sun wakes up to warm my soul,
my sorrow breaks, I'm far from whole,
those thoughts of you bleed through and often.
Grief bites hard, yet time can soften.

© 2021 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

Chris, I can identify with this one. While I am an only child, I spent most of my childhood with my cousin. When someone you have shared so much with is gone, it seems as though the memories get blurry. The honest emotion in this poem resonated with me. The rhythm and rhyme of your lines makes for a lovely flow. May the memory of your brother always be a blessing to you. Lydi**

Posted 7 Months Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

7 Months Ago

Thank you Lydi** I appreciate your share here. Your review is encouraging and your thoughts kind. read more



Reviews

Such a nice poem, warm but sort of sad.

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you Falcon. Pleased for your visit and your review.

Chris
a well-penned poem, chris.
though very sad for you to lose a brother & so young too, 7 years old!
there is nothing that one can say to ease grief & everyone deals with it in a different way.
cheerio carola


Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Dear Carola your encouragement so much appreciated. This was written on the anniversary of my brothe.. read more
Carola

1 Year Ago

oops! my misreading.
Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

I was lucky enough to have him around for 61 years. He survived a liver transplant, it gave him an a.. read more
Yes I’ve lost a balloon as a child only to see many others lost to the sky and I wondered how the other poor kids coped with the heart break. Nice one Chris.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thanks Andrew. That lost balloon as a kid, was my first sense of loss. There have been many since. R.. read more
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ved
It is so beautiful poem with very complex feelings hidden in it, I cannot feel your whole pain but absolutely a part of it, which is hidden in the poem, I don't know if the painful memories will disappear or not but surely the pain will.

Ved

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Dear ved, thank you for leaving such a lovely review. We learn to live with our losses, but fortunat.. read more
The joys found in balloons. The games that we all played with cries of happy delight.
The only sadness was when they were gone, but still, we remember the fun we had.

Take care - Dave

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you Dave. Losing a balloon at a young age, was probably my first experience of what loss felt .. read more
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.
This poem with balloon holding in hand is so visual. It's a heartbreaking tale of two siblings and the common cord that once United them but with time's cruel hand that tie broke.... But the loving spirit still remains and the grief softens as time is the best healer.

You have put the hard reality and the pain a notch above with this fine write...

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

You so understood this poem Sima. Thank you, thank you thank you. Thank you especially for calling o.. read more
.

2 Years Ago

You are so welcome and I am so sorry for your loss! My heart goes to you... ❤
Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you dear poet :)
i love the metaphor of holding onto a balloon and having it taken away - so clever and effective. at parades, fairs and such i am always saddened to see balloons sailing away - knowing that a child is unhappy at the loss. a piece of those we've lost stays with us. such a great metaphor because can also represent letting go and us and them being set free from burdens.

'Grief bites hard, yet time can soften.'

indeed. wonderful piece of verse chris ... :)

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thanks Pete, Yes the lost balloon as a metaphor for our losses in life, has always worked for me. He.. read more
Loss of any kind can be devastating
The balloons lost as a child and the
memories of your brother in both of
your childhood..grief does bite hard
indeed..glad the element of time has
soften the loss somewhat..well penned
piece here dear Chris..

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Many thanks Fran Marie. So appreciate you stopping by to call on this piece on the anniversary of my.. read more
This is very powerful and touching poem. I love the tradition of releasing balloons to honor our loved ones in heaven.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Many thanks Dale. I truly appreciate your kind words and visit. All the best.

Chris

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Shelved in 2 Libraries
Added on August 1, 2018
Last Updated on August 11, 2021

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..

Writing
Spoken Spoken

A Poem by Chris Shaw



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