Even On Grey Days

(for Andy,)

even on a grey morning
as river still sleeps
while graceful willows
dip their tresses
into silent water

while the view is devoid
of colour, listen
a blackbird sings for you
a song of hope
notes from that tiny throat
telling you life is worth
living

I think of you
in your Texan bed for
eight months weathering
riding the storms back
on so many fronts

in the care of professionals
who check your insurance
before contemplating
their next move

you tell me of suffering
you have seen on a scale
that can't be measured
how you have contemplated
your own demise

how my dear friend
you are waging a battle
but still say to me
it is better to be
than not to be

you send your love
across the waves
and I say to you
keep Hamlet close
and poetry even closer

Reviews

[Lorry]

Those moments of beauty and light can be so well hidden to a darkened mind that ot takes a feat of such strength to hear, see and feel them amongst our senseless senses that it feels like it would be easier to show a blind person what turquoise is, or figure out which way is up in space.
But even though it sounds loke something a trainee motivational guru would say, hopelesness can't exist without hope.
Yet your checking the insurance line tells us so much more about how it isn't only physical pain that can take us there Chris, but the feeling that we are alone in seeing the insanity the world has become, where pieces of paper have more importance than life itself.
Leaves me with the feeling that the world should hit the reset button and start again from scratch.
Once more, with feeling springs to mind.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Lorry. It grieves me that he may not be getting the best quality of care because of bloody insurance. Doesn't it really make you appreciate our NHS? He needs all the help he can get at the moment I just hope he can hang on in there. He has been very ill before. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for your response. He is a nature lover and a poet I've known for years.

Chris

[Lorry]

Hope things work out for him. Too many fall through the cracks in a system whose only compassion seems to be to making as much profit as possible for stakeholders so detached from the reality of what people need to go through, who are met with that exact reaction when they need help the most.
The more I here of other first world health services, the more I appreciate ours.
And remember, up here we get all prescriptions free too. Makes you wonder how we can manage it without added taxation and how other advanced countries can't, or won't.

[Chris Shaw]

I agree, the NHS is a national treasure. Something we should all be really proud of. Treatment regardless of your bank balance. Ensures that the poorest and most vulnerable at least have one worry removed from their lot.

[Crowley]

mmmm....Great tribute. It is so hard to watch suffering, even form afar, and its the heart that cares from afar that interests me most, because it seems somehow more human. Great writing Christine!!!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Crowley. I appreciate you checking in.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Andy has certainly confided in the right person.
No better response--no more empathetic reassurance--could have been offered.
Brava, wise poetess!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. Your reviews always so appreciated.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

This poet excels in painting word pictures of nature, and that gift is employed here in hopes of bouying up the spirts of one far away. Since that person is in Texas, a US state especially hard hit by a resurgence of COVID-19, it is possible that malady is part of the problem, although, since the troubles have been present for eight months, it could be that other factors are involved. Hopefully, the beautiful images of the first two verses will have a positive effect.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks John for your thoughtful review. Much appreciated.

Chris

[...]

I can say this is have very optimistic impression . Even is not probably about happy event. I like special like that line it is better to be than not to be . Ending stanza is just very calming but also emotional . I hope your friend will soon get back healthy.

P.S . this is my favorite qoute from Hamlet.

There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. My friend is an American poet I have known for ten years. He is very ill, but he is resilient and has endured much ill health in the past. I hope he is able to hang on that glint of hope we all need when times are hard.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

What a great last two lines...in reference to keep your friends close but your enemies closer...
This poem reminds me of all the shouting voices now...all of the anger and hate that echoes so loudly, and yet if we listen closely enough, we can hear the sounds of that soft throated little blackbird singing a song to assuage the pain, the hate, the anger...a little voice of love.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Jacob. He needs that little blackbird's song at the moment. He is a nature lover and eight months in hospital while covid rages has take him far, far away from that. He has been desperately ill in the past and pulled through. I hope he can do the same this time. I appreciate your response.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

This is superb Chris. You have shared with us the deep human anguish of this oft repeated human situation we are living with. Your final reminder of Hamlet and poetry is very touching.
Very well done.
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Alan, this friend is in a bad place and I hope he has the strength to pull through. Makes you appreciate our NHS big time doesn't it? Hope you and yours are OK and thanks Alan for the great review.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

That's very kind of you Chris. I quite often write from imagination and I didn't want to assume that this was from real life but I was sure it was. Hamlets question is engaging many now as it must us all !
Take care yourself. We have helped our son flit to a new house today. Tomorrow their baby is due. Good timing!
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Very good timing. Much excitement then, for the new arrival :)