The Way Things Are

(life as we currently live it, covid style, )

there you are

you little star, walking

carefully around furniture

smiling at new found

confidence, legs wobbling

a trifle

oops steady now, steady

come nearer the phone

still prone to the odd fall

what a poppet

that mop of dark curls

growing by the day

look at you

blue trousers, matching top

stop and wave

kisses from nanny

and lots more

see you at Christmas

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I've always felt the deepest sympathy for my friends with grandkids that live too far away to visit. I've often thought I'd rather have NO kids/g-kids than to have ones I could never see & touch. Your poem sorta fools us into thinking that we are blessed to have all this electronic sophistication so we can keep in touch with loved ones we can't be with, but to my childless eye, a screen can never satisfy the sense of touch & smell & taste, etc. -- feeling a child grow up! Your poem doesn't complain at all, but there's an embedding sense of how dissatisfying it must be (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

I am thankful for small mercies Margie. Believe me the tech is better than nothing, but it can't replace a proper kiss and cuddle. Looking forward to a reprieve when I can have some fun with my youngest grandson. Can't wait for a cuddle. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for your visit.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - I too feel the sadness at not being able to be close to loved ones. This year for the first time Millie and I aren't going to N.C. for the holidays to see my oldest daughter and our grandsons. Seeing them on the computer or the phone-pad isn't the same. In any case, I hope that you and yours have a fabulous holiday season. Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. All the best to you and here's hoping that next year will be a better one. Happy holidays.

Chris

[Dave]

Thank you, Chris, and the same to you. Hopefully, things will be much better with the coming vaccine.
Take care - Dave

[Sami Khalil]

My goodness Chris! Is it a nightmare or a sad reality; the separation angst in virtual tech times. How our world can change in an instant. How we depend on technology more and more for communication. Happy Holidays from a distance...

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Sami. Times have changed. Hopefully next year will improve. Happy holidays to you. All good wishes.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

All true and well said. You are welcome.

[.]

The poignant time and its feelings. Having grandchildren but couldn't see them in real and planting a kiss on his cheeks.... It's really pathetic. But thanks to electronic media, at least the love and care can be send virtually. A nice but sad write here...

[Chris Shaw]

Yes Sima, it is a sign of the times when we have to see our little ones via technology and we can't kiss, cuddle or play with them. Hoping to get a reprieve at Christmas. Thank you fir checking in.

Chris

[.]

Wishing you all the good things..

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Yes, life as we now experience it- virtually. What a shadow of life it really is. Chris, your beautiful poem tenderly reminds us of the milestones we are missing, the time we are losing...the metaphor of first steps witnessed only electronically. You bring home how we are being robbed of so many heart-moments that cannot be duplicated or replaced. My tears dot your every line here and my soul weeps at your every word. Poignant and emotional work my friend

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Annette, how we took simple things for granted. This cruel disease separates us from our nearest and dearest. Hoping for a vaccine soon so we can all try and get back to a more normal existence. Fondest to you and Pebbles. Thank you for checking in and keep safe.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

virtual children, we watch them grow up on a screen.
just not the same...not the same.
this poem has different emotions swirling...the love of the grandchild, the gratefulness of having, but the disappointment of not being able to hold him in your arms...
brushing kisses on his cheek.
so sad.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Oh yes the different emotions and the sadness of being separated from our nearest and dearest. Thank you Jacob for checking this one out.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A lovely depiction of 'zoom' family gathering as you watch a grandchild from afar due to being unable to mix just now due to Covid.

[Chris Shaw]

The tech is better than nothing, but what a sad state of affairs when we can't see our nearest and dearest ones. Thank you John.

Chris

[Lorry]

Awwwwwwwwwwww 🤗
Methinks a lot of grandkids are gonna be spoiled rotten this Christmas and be pimped out by exhausted parents to their parents as walking hug machines.
It's the bllomin grandparents who are like kids at the thought, counting down how many more sleeps to go 😊
Best calm yourself Chris, it's still another 33 🎅🎁

[Chris Shaw]

I am counting the sleeps down. Yes there are going to be many happy grandparents, and many adult parents who will be more than happy to take a back seat. Can't wait to cuddle my littlest grandson again. Thank you Lorry.

Chris

[Lorry]

Apparently the 4 home nations have agreed on a 5 day break from restrictions and will confirm this week. Yay 🤗