Silver Linings

(Sorry the stanza breaks didn't appear. Must be a gliche. This poem was written in four six line stanzas, and a final stanza of three lines)

within the confines of my living room

vibrations from an undiscovered source

caused a plate glass shelf to shift

flip on one side to launch a fine set

of champagne flutes with spiral stems

into orbit

disbelief in my startled eyes

what a racket as they crash landed

on the unsuspecting wood stain

smashed to smithereens

shattered shards of sharpness

spread far and wide

no sticking plaster repair here

a disaster has taken place

my face broken my heart heavy

steps with care to survey the carnage

destruction of wedding gifts

cut glass everywhere

through an undraped window

a curious morning sun peeped in

prisms of rainbow colours danced

delight on left wreckage

turned our room into a disco

of rotating lights, ceiling to floor

softening the disappointment

a silver lining moment

they have a way of doing that

Reviews

[Laura M.Emerson]

This was absolutely lovely, Chris. Rainbows hold a special place in my heart, because you seldom get to see one. For me, they are the ultimate symbol of hope, and for someone who deals with chronic pain and the resulting frequent depression, silver linings like rainbows are powerful reminders of God's sovereign promise of His love for me, as well as for hope, renewal, and peace.

If that truly happened, I'm so sorry that your glasses shattered, Chris. It must have been terrible to watch, particularly since they were cherished wedding gifts. Again, I felt badly about it indeed, but you managed to turn a sad experience into a happy one, even if it was only for a moment. I am grateful for your example, and promise to remember it when I need a pick-me-up on a difficult day.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Laura, thank you so much for your visit and leaving such a beautiful response. I am sorry to learn of your ill health and wish you better times ahead. I also wish you many rainbows, love, peavce and pain free days.

Chris

[Laura M.Emerson]

Thank you so much for your warm wishes, Chris.My pain is much better controlled when it's sunny: unfortunately, it's supposed to rain here all week - Yuck! I hope you have better weather where you are in England! Please message me often - I love getting mail, particularly the electronic kind, because I can answer it without help.Please stay safe and healthy during the remainder of the pandemic.More time to write, but difficult nevertheless. Keep looking for the rainbows!

[Ana Papaya]

a bittersweet moment i suppose but i know how heartbreaking it can be to lose something precious.
i love your rich descriptions here in recreating the scene with deep imagery - the disco for example, great way of describing it

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ana. Not a recent event, so the pain of losing the precious glass, has long gone. Replaced with real cheap stuff, so if it happens again, it won't hurt as much.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

A lovely and unique perspective.
Except, of course, for the deep personal loss, this unfortunate incident was--in one significant way--
worth it.
It did, after all, Chris, produce a magnificent poem.
That "silver lining," if you will.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. The loss was sad, but far worse things happen at sea. I think that is the expression. Pleased you enjoyed the poem. I really appreciate your reviews and your continued support. Means alot.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

That had to be a real shock
Likely an earthquake (?) jet plane (?) which no one is ever prepared for and then the broken glass wear
Very unfortunate but congrats for finding a silver lining
not sure that would be my reaction but it did created a poem
Should it happen again for another poem?

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dave. We never found out what caused it. It was quite a while ago and thankfully it hasn't happened since. Yes it was an ouch moment but softened by the sunlight choosing the right time to visit.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

when I hear the words silver lining I always think of gray hair. I wrote it in a song once and it was about a girl with prematurely gray hair she was abused by her father and her hair was grey by the time she was graduating high school. It was very beautiful hair and inside the fact of her abuse that produced this premature grey hair was a sublime beauty that came from wretchedness and it glowed in the bunny's eyes. for she was kind in spite of her pain and those silver streaks were a gleam. a lot like this poem was chris

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Bunny thank you for sharing about your song for the girl with the gray hair. If silver linings makes you think of gray hair and that poor soul who suffered abuse from her father, then that is fine by me. Always appreciate your visits.

Chris

[Unspoken poet]

This one is super amazing, I like the feelings and imagery in this write.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for another review. Appreciating your visits.

Chris

[wordman]

lol,i doubt i would have shared that silver lining

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ron. I try and find some positivity in a bed situation. It helps with the pain :)

[wordman]

understood,you`re welcome

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was brilliant writing. I enjoyed the moral, metaphor and double entendre. And not to worry about the verses, I enjoyed the entirety as a block write.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Fabian, many thanks for your generous review. So encouraging for me and so much appreciated. All good wishes.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

smashed to smithereens
shattered shards of sharpness
love the alliteration of these
selected lines..and it's always
a good thing to see the prisms
of rainbow colors dancing
I like the disco.description
you create here....nicely
penned piece.Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Fran Marie for your visit. I am llking your new avatar. Take good care of yourself.
read moreMany thanks Fran Marie for your visit. I am llking your new avatar. Take good care of yourself.

Chris

[Fay Slimm]

your warm heart made that mysterious tragedy into a smile as the light worked its magic on all those shards - -- my sincere sympathy if this was written from such a sudden experience my friend - - an intriguing read.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fay. Yes an experience in real life, although some while ago now. It was a disappointment but possessions in the main can be replaced, people can't. Best to get these things into perspective. I appreciate your visit.

Chris