Loaded

(A response to a poetry contact who said he was about to shoot himself after reading one of my sonnets)

My autumn sonnet far too dark,

it drove another to despair.

He took a loaded gun, thought twice

but still he scorched his aging hair.

The final couplet changed his mind,

he saw it in redeeming light.

Good job his aim was out of sorts

or else his future, black as night.

Oh Skumpy, lemme tell you this,

October always leaves me cold.

I much prefer the summer sun

cast wide its net of burning gold.

And as for those who've left this plane

my losses don't decrease with time,

so when they surface in my thoughts

I give them grace, allow their climb.

We differ sir, I will not change.

On this we clearly should agree.

Perhaps I need to warn you first

of when I post my poetry.

A red alert will come your way

so you can put your gun away.

Reviews

[Lorry]

I guess we all take sonnets as differently as we take autumn Chris, but this did make me smile, that I have given myself time off from my break to comment.
I have only been threatened with the seventh circle of hell (for blasphemy), but to compel suicide is impressive.
If their tongue wasnt firmly in cheek with their comment, then maybe they should consider what they are bringing to the gene pool party. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Lorry. I really appreciate you taking time out from your break. Yep this poor geezer, couldn't cope with my melancholy autumn tones tied in with remembering my losses :)) Of course it was all tongue in cheek, but I thought he deserved a response with a bit of humour in it with a suggestion of a red alert when I was posting my work (lol). All good fun. Have a good rest.

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

This was funny and scary at the same time. Again your expertise with words brings the situation much to life. Are there people in the world who would want to shoot themselves over poetry? Don't they know only cats have nine lives ?(scratches head). Enjoyed this poem a lot.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dhara. He was jesting of course. He just couldn't deal with my melancholic poetry that day (lol)

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Ok...then it’s fine. As long as everyone lives:)

[Suhd]

I really like the easiness with which your words flow and form clarity in the most non-abstract way.
I'm inspired by this. This poem has so much to offer without being eccentric and condescending.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Suhd and welcome to my page. I appreciate your visit and you response. Thank you.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

His remarks I must add were very much tongue in cheek. He was playing.

[Coyote Poetry]

I am safe. The guns are locked-up and far away. Poetry that lead to suicide. hard and scary stuff. Always a pleasure to read your work dear Chris.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote, he was of course kidding, but others might not be.

Chris