When Words Pale

When Words Pale

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

(four different attempts on this subject matter, Sky View already published)

"
I planned a poem to celebrate Vermont in fall,
a vision of thick forests upon her mountain slopes.
A mesmerising mass of vermillion intensity
graded in height, whose breathless beauty would
raise a gasp from even the most reluctant of ghosts.

So transfixed was I by layers of fluttering skirts,
of bright foliage, interwoven with splashes of
ochre, molten gold and hooker green, I wondered
whether I could attempt to capture the magnificence
to convey all I had seen in mere words.

And then I looked at the heavenly, cloudless sky,
not a feather of floating cloud in sight, not a wisp of
wayward white,just bluer than deepest sapphire blue.
There's no colour chart on earth that would replicate
that hue. It's a Vermont sky, one to sigh for.

If this wasn't bountiful enough, I was gifted twice,
a reflection of all in cool clear waters of a silent lake.
How great is that? Two for the price of one.
Abundant as well as lavish is nature's mother
when her mood exudes kindness.

So I took the whole of what my eyes had perused,
and tasked my muse to give of her best
because I wished to pen with an artist's flair
for a fellow poet who has an affinity with this place,
much loved from his early childhood days.

I wrote in couplets, in triolets. I tried free verse
and I bled in rhyme and after a time I was on the 
point of giving up, convinced I had failed, but
I desired my friend should feel the agony of my pen,
when I tried to do justice to his Vermont.

© 2019 Chris Shaw


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Don't give up, don't give up please and you know you portrayed it so beautifully!!The beauty of Vermont came alive with your words and I hope your friend must be delighted with this portrayal.

Your sky portrayal was so aesthetically poetic....liked it so much

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Dear Sima you are always so encouraging. I thank you. Have a lovely day.

Chris
.

3 Years Ago

You are so welcome.Have a lovely day to you too.



Reviews

Nice one Chris . . . when we lived in up-upstate NY we went over to Vermont often and enjoyed the beauty of the Green Mountains. Vermont's culture has changed a lot due to the migration from NYC and environs. It now is a trendy place . . . whereas New Hampshire still retains some of its old New England ways. If you ever visit US make sure you visit this area . . . but don't do it in the winter!
T

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Thank you for the review and the advice Tom. I have never visited the USA, but hope to one day. On m.. read more
you painted vermont with all the beauty of your heart

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

That is a lovely thing to say and I thank you for your words and visit Ron.

Chris
 wordman

4 Years Ago

my pleasure
Setting out to write something specific has always been a risky venture for me. The thing takes on a life of its own and what I’d set out to do isn’t realized. The creative process is odd.

But even in your musing about it in this poem you’ve captured something essential about an American autumn as well as the journey of the poet.

I was standing outside the other morning and the sky was that deep clanging blue you describe here. I always feel physically affected by that. But it’s not a feeling I can put into words. It’s like a sense of freedom and release after the long, smoggy days of summer.

In the end, your poem made me think of those things we keep reaching towards in our writing that remain alluring but elusive over a period of time. Sometimes we are finally able to say what we wanted and sometimes we are not. The journey can be frustrating or illuminating and we come out sometime later that much further along the road to somewhere we didn’t even know we were going.

Your poem is a lovely exploration of time and place from the perspective of someone outside of it, but also of the creative process itself. I really enjoyed this, Chris.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Eilis, it's always a pleasure reading your thoughts about my poetry. I thank you for your interest a.. read more
To quote Joyce Kilmer, "I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree." Yet, be that as it may, it won't deter the true poet from making the effort. :) I salute your efforts just as I salute the beauty that inspires them. Bless.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Many thanks Fabian for your visit. I'm a huge fan of Joyce Kilmer. Your thoughts always appreciated... read more
Can we ever do justice in words to Nature's beauty the way a painting can? We can however, as you have, get people's imagination working. I read below that you haven't been there, and nor have I. Fortunately I live on the edge of Epping Forest where Queen Elizabeth i had a hunting lodge.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

You are fortunate Gerald living where you do. Both beauty and history on your doorstep. Tha k you fo.. read more
I read this twice for its beauty. Never been there nut I would love to visit. On the bucket list. You are gifted and we are enjoying your gift.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

A lovely review from you Sami. I hope you have a long bucket list and you get to do all you have pla.. read more
Sami Khalil

5 Years Ago

It is ind. Thanks for the wishes. You are welcome...
Well done Chris, love the imagery such beauty in your pen.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Many thanks Andrew. Your visits much appreciated.

Chris
I marvel at your ability to capture the beauty of a place and a season from sheer imagination and feeling. It’s a rare writer who can visualise a place so convincingly without having been there. You brought the picture alive for me in all its radiance and colour!

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Such a pleasure to have you review these lines DIVYA. Pleased I could bring you some of Vermont's ra.. read more
Ayvid N

5 Years Ago

It’s such a pleasure to be reading you again, dear Chris.
you stopped ne dead at hooker green.. I wonder what kind of hooker you refer to.. I use to tease my elderly clients when I painted their nails "hooker red".. I loved this.. I have never been to Vermont but I too have seen pictures and travelogues and read about how beautiful it is.. your words have intrigued my imagination.. perhaps.. I have a large bucket and a long list.. travel is still not out of the question..

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you olla. Hooker green is a Windsor and Newton shade of green on an artist's palette. A shade .. read more
olla

5 Years Ago

thank you.. I will have to look for it on a color swatch.. the color of envy.. a wonderful descripti.. read more
A distant place never to be seen by me! Your description helps me understand the beauty of what you've seen!

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Alas Augustus I have only seen in photographs, regretfully not in the flesh. Plenty of imagination u.. read more

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732 Views
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Shelved in 1 Library
Added on October 25, 2019
Last Updated on October 25, 2019

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

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