Truce

Calm, the lass whose feathered pillows

cradle round her sleeping head,

with her teddy tucked beside her

anchored in her peaceful bed.

In her lilac painted haven,

drapes of purple neatly drawn,

sequinned satin, scattered cushions,

velvet throws to keep her warm.

Soft the lamplight on long lashes,

not a trace of daytime clashes

nor the sudden temper flashes,

whipped into a frenzied storm.

Reviews

[Lorry]

Angels when asleep, demons when awake, but would you have it any other way? Erm, yeah, most likely :)
Remember when they were seen and not heard? Tell a kid that today and you would be as well trying to explain the subtle differences between vhs and betamax :)
I just realised why I am thinking what I am now thinking "i havent seen the gremlins movie in ages" :)

[Chris Shaw]

I was seen and not heard. As I got older I was so shy I was almost afraid to speak. Nowadays, you can't shut me up :)) How I have grown Lorry No holding me back now. In fact there's one or two who would quite like me to lose my voice.

Chris

[Lorry]

Yep. I never spoke much until I was mid teens, then I joined the army cadets and it was the best time of my life. it still plays in my head like the movie stand by me :)
My family spent the rest of their lives looking for the switch to s**t me off

[Lorry]

Shut me off... Freudian s**t, I mean slit, I mean mother :)

[Chris Shaw]

Funny man :))

[duck]

speaking in this poetry about finding the voice. no greater voice then poetry and this poem just backs what I am saying up.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks duck for your comments. All the best.

Chris

[duck]

my pleasure.

[Fran Marie]

Such a lovely piece poem here..purple has always been
My fave color..love the images tucked into this beautiful piece

Nice Work..Happy New Year Christine

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Fran Marie. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All good wishes.

Chris

[Frederika]

Sounds like a wonderful place that purple painted heaven. Always tuff to be a teenager though.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Frederika. Tough being a teenager also tough being younger still. Everyone needs little haven of their own.
Chris

[Dr. YumnaKay]

I love the imagery here. Esp that of the 'lilac painted haven', purple being my favourite colour :D
Made me think of my niece when she sleeps. Lovely write, this one. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dr Y. Purple and hues thereof are also favourites of mine. Nothing like children sleeping peacefully and soundly to put a contented smile on the lips :) Pleased you enjoyed the read and thank you for checking this one out.

Chris

[Carol Cashes]

You captured the paradox that is a toddler. When conscious, they are gangsters and thugs. When sleeping, no angel could compete with their beauty and purity.

How is such a thing possible? Are toddlers bi-polar and most grow out of it? You 've set into motion a train of thought that this waaaay post menopausal middle aged pasty old white lady would not have imagined possible.

And that, Miss Chris, is what good writing does.

[Chris Shaw]

Love your witty response. The behaviour of some certainly matches your words. You have a sense of humour, and that comes through nicely. Quite often in my experience they grow out of it. However..... You give awesome reviews. Good to meet you and happy you are back here at WC.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

As soft as a lullaby....as sweet too. Chris, this is just lovely! I pictured my granddaughters asleep in their beds as I read. They, too, love all shades of purple and their rooms are lilac havens....sparkled with sequins. I had to smile while reading this. Great rhyming. Happy New Year to you. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Happy New Year Lydi**. This was written sometime ago, about Beth our granddaughter whom we have brought up. Now 18 and of a much calmer nature. The temper flashes gone and she still looks like an angel when she sleeps. Thank you.

Chris.

[John the Baptist]

The first two verses of this offering sound like a description of a Norman Rockwell painting. We see a word picture of a young girl or woman sleeping in a perfect bedroom setting, complete with teddy bear and purple drapes. It is not until the last three lines of the poem that we learn suddenly that the picture is not perfect, that its other side shows someone who may be mentally ill. As a retired mental health worker I see signs of a mood disorder, possibly bipolar disorder. Of course, it could be she is just passing through a phase, but I have a feeling the poet is hinting at something more serious than that. A very interesting portrait of contrasts here.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello John. Lucky for us it was a passing phase, but at the time this was written which was quite sometime ago, there was a question mark. Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful review.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Ahhh yes, I know this hard-earned quietude! They are such angels when they are sleeping- and often while they are awake (?). You paint a lyrical, Botticelli-esque masterpiece of a peacefully dreaming babe in perfect meter and rhyme here Chris. Your eloquent words tug at the heartstrings and bring us appreciative sighs and smiles. Perfect poem!- now all shhhhh....

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Annette, you always leave such awesome reviews. Thank you so much. It is an art itself reviewing someone else's work and I want you to know how appreciated yours are. Your response tells me you have much experience and no doubt patience with children.:) Thank you.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

I am so priviledged to bevable to read and review your beautiful work dear Chris. You inspire me so much. Ahhh, patience- yes, it is a virtue and has to be endless when it comes to children. Maybe getting older ourselves helps with patience? Hmmmm...

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Meant- be able! Impatient fingers- ha!

[Chris Shaw]

Oh those typos Annette. Comes with fast typing. I suffer the same. Patience comes with age. Without a doubt, I am far more patient with grandchildren. Thank you so much for your kind words. It delights me that I can inspire anyone:))

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Misspelled privileged too! Ah me....

[Chris Shaw]

Didn't notice :))

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Peace all around- soft sighs gentle breathing all around- wonderful and beautiful purple coming through🌹

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Kelly. Lovely peace and quiet after temper tantrums :)

Chris

[Scott De Buitléi..]

Wonderful. I love how the title seems at odds with the peaceful nature of the first few stanzas, until the final stanza gives enough of a subtle nod at why it is a truce after all. I really enjoyed this, well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Scott. I appreciate your visit and review. All good wishes.

Chris