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

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is heart wrenching...i have gone through this...all the words in the world...all the poetic devices cannot stop the pain when that time is near---they seem so useless...
but in the end...for the sake of memory, the words are more powerful than we realize.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes Jacob. It is that feeling of words becoming useless, nothing you say will make the slightest bit of difference. Thank you for your understanding.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

We can conquer and express so many things with the written word yet still fail miserably to comfort ones ailing pain..I too felt this sadness as my mom lay dying.. It is very difficult and heartening..I feel your words here.within this poem..well done

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fran Marie for sharing your own experience. I appreciate your response.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

One of your best. Some things or events in life are hard to convey indeed especially if that place or person has transcended any value or importance. Parents are one of those that we can't fit into a frame or a box. Death is a must but we can rest in the hope of an afterlife for those who believe. Marvelous.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami for your thoughtful response. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

"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"

[barleygirl]

This is truly one of your very best that I've read so far. I love the way you touch all the familiar topics in fresh & heartfelt ways, a constant stream of amazing poems. Your descriptions of writing (here) are so lyrical & then your poem twists into the final torque that tweaks your heart, expressed gently & with immense compassion. I wish it were easier to talk about death sometimes (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Now your words do mean something Margie. Thank you so much.

Chris

[¿]

Love and Hug!! Welcome warmly :)

[DIVYA]

So beautifully expressed Chris...As long as she feels your love, no words are really needed, my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you DIVYA

[DIVYA]

You are welcome, Chris.

[Gee]

So sad. There have been times when I have wished my mum the release of death such was the pain of watching her suffer, but not once has she ever voiced a desire to die. My heart goes out to you Christine

[Chris Shaw]

She's had enough and has done for sometime. A shell of her former vibrant self, it is painful to witness and because this is her journey there is nothing we can do to make it any easier for her.Thank you Gee for your understanding.