The Book of Us

(one from the archives)

That book of us, is slim it's true,

its hardback cover turquoise blue,

its title bold, its letters gold

and there upon a page inside

in print that's smudged by tears which fell,

the only words I wish to say

and why with pain I walked away.

"I loved you well but I could tell

that butterfly inside of you

had squandered us, had wandered on

with ease it seems and little fuss.

My dear you were the death of us."

Reviews

[lightsong]

Gosh my dear! how with your masterful pen You brought unrequited love alive again. there is love, but there is not equal love, no equal give and take... how much courage it takes one to be firmed and decide to walk away, not only for oneself but also to the other part, to leave them so they can learn and grow. I find real wisdom here dear Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for your thoughtful review lightsong. Pleased to have you stop by.

Chris

[Lorry]

Jacobs review sums it up so well, that me trying to add to it should be a valuable lesson in futility... But when has that ever stopped me 😀
The harshest of pains always come from those close to us, trusted until the devastation of their deceits kicks us in the face, back into a reality we never even knew existed.
But we learn, slowly and with many sleepless moons, that their flaws should never change us, and that it is them and not us that wear the masks so well.
It would be so easy to be bitter and mistrust everyone, but it is also the first sign of our true strength to not let it change who we are. Karma will hopefully take care of them, with the possibility that it will too shine kindly on us.
There is an old and wise quote that is brought to mind, "never let the b******s grind you down."
I think it was that chap Blackadder that coined it 😀

[Chris Shaw]

That Blackadder was one genius Lorry. Love your thoughts here. Many thanks for checking in on this oldie :) That'll be the poem my friend, never me :))

[Lorry]

And dont forget the genius of Baldrick and his cunning plans 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Ah yes. He always had a cunning plan didn't he? Loved that programme Lorry. :)

[Lorry]

I have stuck pants on my head, pencils up my nose and said ohmm many, many times 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Rowan Atkinson has rubber features. He can look incredibly ugly Lorry. Whatever you do I don't think you will be a match for him :)
Pants or no pants :))

[Lorry]

We have another saying up here. Not very pc, but... Hes got a face like a well skelpt arse. 😀
read moreWe have another saying up here. Not very pc, but... Hes got a face like a well skelpt arse. 😀
Mine is more a face only a mother could love 😀

[DIVYA]

Some love is better cherished as the past than the present. Reminisced sometimes with fondness and without bitterness knowing it was beautiful but was not meant to be. Beautifully written Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

How wise you are DIVYA. Better to remember with fondness than sour grapes. Many thank yous for visiting this old poem. Love your new avatar :)

[Stella Armour]

A hardback book with gold lettering would seem to be a good, well written book at first glance, but the brevity of the pages tell their own story .... butterflies have short lives.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella for visiting this older poem. Yes, the brevity of the pages says it all here. Butterflies do have incredibly short lives.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Came back to say that your phrase "The book of us " keeps going round in my mind ... lovely phrase.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I love the concept of this, both in title and content, your last line shattering as a glass upon the floor. Really beautiful!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Linda Marie. All good wishes.

Chris

[Terpsichore]

Really liked reading this. The combination of perfect and imperfect rhyme is so very well done and the last five lines I found to be just sublime.

Proper poetry this be ma'am. :)

T

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. Pleased to meet you Terpsichore. Your thoughts most appreciated and generous.
read moreThank you so much. Pleased to meet you Terpsichore. Your thoughts most appreciated and generous.

Chris

[sonnie ibadah]

"My dear you were the death of us."
That verse carries so much emotion. I loved it!

[Chris Shaw]

Hello sonnie. Pleased to meet you and thank you so much for visiting this page. You are most welcome. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

Chris, I don't recall reading this one in July. So sorry I missed it. The poem says so much more than the 12 lines here. The "slim" book seems a one-time heart-breaker, and that "turquoise blue" hardback cover seems a good place to keep closed a painful story. Still, sometimes we need to reflect on the past, good and bad, for perspective and as a reminder history is a good teacher. A good one from your archives.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Robert, thank you so much for your thoughts here. There is much wisdom in what you say. History is a good teacher and we can learn much by taking heed of the past. Not by wishing to brush things aside and pretend they didn't happen. No one learns that way. I really appreciate you reading this poem from way back. All good wishes.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

POP
I see now it is an older write that I somehow missed
Although it is very nicely done, the occasion is less so
I wonder if my recently divorced son will be able to express his feelings as poetically as you have done
Poor weather might yet bring out another offering????
OH!!! No pressure!!

[Chris Shaw]

Yes I'm giving an oldie an airing but I have got two new ones that I will post later today. Yes, can't get out, so plenty of opportunity to write. Sorry about your son. Always difficult when stuff like that is going on in the family. Pleased you found this one Dave.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

The butterfly left but your pen has not. Amazing title and content. A book to be cherished and told but not for sale in the bit. Even if the ending is sour, it is still a fascinating experience.

[Chris Shaw]

Another visit from you Sami. You are spoiling me:) Decided to give this oldie an airing to make sure there were no cobwebs clinging around. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Hahaha. I understand. You are welcome.

[Chris Shaw]

:))...........

[Sami Khalil]

Gracie Mille......

[augustus]

Old but very true! Reading and enjoying your works is becoming a habit!

[Chris Shaw]

Very pleased to hear that Augustus. Always pleased for your visits. Thank you.