Strings

For Nicola, much loved friend and pop in neighbour

In your room of gentle love,

hemmed in by sprays of floral scent,

of orchid whites, pale pearly pinks

and hues of lilacs heaven sent,

you breathe in gifts of garden flowers

to soothe you in your ebbing hours.

Close by your side within your reach

are photos of the young you birthed,

their peachy cheeks laugh back at you.

They smile as if they long to say,

"you'll never be that far away,

within our blood you'll always be".

Through the drapeless window seen,

a floor to ceiling, sweeping view,

the sky a wash of dusky blue,

a thousand sequins on display,

that line your pathway, guide your flight

into the everlasting night.

The love you gave was built to last

and so with ten years soon to pass,

on that delicate round table

of kindness, loyalty and affection,

you rise again once more dear friend

to stir the dust off my reflections.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Strings..i think of a guitar...and my best friend playing it as we sat and visited...she still visits me, and plays in my dreams.
and it has been 35 years since i lost her...
and what really stirs the dust off my reflections is when i hear a song by her favorite...stevie winwood...

this poem takes me back...and i appreciate the reflection..thank you, Chris.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I'm happy that this poem has a special meaning for you Jacob. It's tough losing such close friends. It must be of some comfort to you, that your friend still appears in your dreams after all this time. Forever young. Thank you.

Chris

[Ted Kniffen]

As we grow, we accumulate friends without knowing how important they will become...until we start losing them...some move away...some were never really friends...and some leave us before we are ready to let them go.

A good write, Chris. Time does not make the lossless keenly felt.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Ted. We do not contemplate this type of loss when we are young. We do lose our friends as we get older and acceptance is hard to live with.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

How beautiful Chris, a poem of remembrance penned with so much love and affection... ♥

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella. 46 is no age, and yes I miss her a great deal. I miss her popping in for tea and a chat. I miss her children who were always playing with my grandkids. I miss the essence of her. Fun loving and sparkly. Such is life and loss. Good morning on a very cold and wet one.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Good morning Chris, we have lovely Yorkshire sunshine but it is bitterly cold outside.
It is so sad when good people die young... :(

[Chris Shaw]

My hands are frozen. We have moved our boat from hardstanding back into the marina. Crewing is no fun in the wet and cold. Lucky you having sun.

[Stella Armour]

I must admit that although it is very cold , the sunshine does give you a sort of lift ..

[Chris Shaw]

It does indeed. I am being taken out to lunch as a reward for crewing duties :) That will put a smile back on my face.

[Stella Armour]

oh lucky you ... i am off to the hospital , final nurse check before 1st hip replacement next week, fingers crossed she will give me the rthumbs up lol .

[Chris Shaw]

I expect you'll be glad to get it over and done with. Should give you a new lease of life.

[Stella Armour]

phew yes, am in the process of applying for a new home nearer my son so plenty of stress going on at the moment lol..

[john l smith]

A meaningful remembrance to someone who obviously meant a great deal to you
I often reflect on the pointlessness of the life-death thing, which is also pointless
Guess it's my age

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dave, we all reflect as we grow older on the life/death issue, especially as we lose family and special friends. Yes Nicola, was a very special friend. Her passing was difficult for me. 46 is no age at all, and she left three young children.

Chris

[john l smith]

we had the same unfortunate experience years ago and about that same age
A huge shock to all with two kids

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A beautiful 'floral' tribute to someone much loved and respected. You set it once again is descriptive pretty verses. Not sure if this is a eulogy or if she is simply frail and perhaps ill?

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks John. A tribute to a friend who died, and on the tenth anniversary of her death.

Chris