Woven By Circumstance

For my friend Nicky who died of ovarian cancer 12 years ago. I survived breast cancer, she died, friends and neighbours for 20 years. Battling together.

I wove myself the finest friend,

alike we were in warp and weft.

We worked life's loom but she was doomed

and her demise left me bereft.

One spring the common thread broke loose,

too tough for her, I saw her break.

Yet we had shared our inner fears,

the tears which flowed, the pains and aches.

For neither one of us could bear

to recognize in others eyes

we chose to hide from those we loved

the dread of death found lurking there.

Our friendship was a treasured gem,

since then the years have passed on by

but always when I think of her,

I do so with a heavy sigh.

Reviews

[Lorry]

A beautiful memorial to another victim of that lottery we barely understand, where fate dooms us to hearing the tick of time as an entirely different thing, a countdown.
Some survive, others dont, but all learn what up to then we take for granted, seeing family grow up and expand, getting to where we want to be in life and a thousand other beautiful moments we fear we won't see again.
It seems at times like those that everything is like a lottery and life is the prize.
I'm sorry you lost a friend, and a goodie by the sounds of it. It does put things into perspective though. Maybe I should stop moaning about the weather and just accept I will forever be pale blue and just get on with it.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right Lorry about life being a lottery. We don't know how long we've got. It takes the near misses and the loss of close friends before their time to make you appreciate what you've got. There's something to be said in living each day as though it wS your last.

Cheers me dear

[Lorry]

Exactly, so have a cream cake with that vanilla latte and go buy a sled in case there is more snow. Remember also to make the appropriate "wheeee" sounds when skiting yourself down that hill :)

[Chris Shaw]

Yes I have been in a sled. Not this year, last. Scared me to death, but I did it. Grandson on the back, steep hill, ended up buried in snow at the bottom. Great fun. Thanks for permission to have that bit of cream cake with my hot chocolate with cream and sprinkles on top :)

[Lorry]

Well I never mentioned sprinkles, but go on :)

[Chris Shaw]

Yeah why not :)

[john l smith]

an unfortunate reminder of the random aspect of our existence
I lost a young friend at a very early age and I still recall that completely unexpected introduction to the realities of life and death

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave for responding. Yes nothing like losing a friend to make you appreciate the fragility of life.

Chris

[Anjeline]

My grandma also had cancer and she died a few months ago only. Even though I can't feel in person half the pain she suffered, I still feel guilty of not being able to do anything much. It's a heart touching poem and I am sure that Nicky is now in a much better place and will be thankful for a very good friend like you. All best wishes to you dear Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Anjeline for your kind words and I am truly sorry for the loss of your Grandma. If you were able to see her, that would have been more than enough. Take care.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

A moving meditation on mortality here, rhymed nicely in iambic pentameter. There are certain relationships in life that go deeper than the rest, and some of them involve shared experiences. Illness seems to have been the bond in this one. The compensating factor is that they were there for each other. Not all are so fortunate. Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. Yes we had a deep connection. I still miss her and it's twelve tears since she died. She lived in the house opposite mine.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Such a poignant poem written in classic style and in tight and splendid form. Sad but I guess we all have tales to tell?

[Chris Shaw]

Just my appreciation of her and what she meant to me. Yes, we all have and live our own story. Thank you for your visit.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

me too... i survived, it must have been very traumatic Chris and no one should ever feel guilty for getting better , i am certain your friend wouldn't want that... ♥

So many people young and with a lot to live for lose the battle :(

[Chris Shaw]

You too Stella. So many have near misses. Makes you really appreciate the time you have when you lose close friends before their time. Keep well my friend and thank you.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

I do count and give thanks for my blessings every day Chris .. at my age i have so much to be thankful for ♥

[jacob erin-cilberto]

having lost a couple very close friends who died quite young...I feel this...i always seem to be able to relate strongly to your words, Chris.
and often i wonder...why did i survive this long, and they didn't?

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob. I suffered from survivor's guilt for quite a few years. I lost five friends to various cancers, all younger than me. Every time I got a negative thought, I would kick myself and remind myself that I was living for them. It makes me happy to know that you can relate strongly to my words. It means a great deal because you are an exceptional poet.