Never A Statistic

In loving memory of Stuart Beattie Cullen, my brotherin-law husband to Wendy, father to Jamie and Iain 22.11.53 - 17.1.2021

no more winters

no more summers

no trumpet fanfare

nor mourning drummers

.

stand pay attention

to each nation's numbers

those who have succumbed

those who are encumbered

.

another notch on a bully belt

nicked by a fat covid snatcher

.

we are rocked

though we don't roll

we are empty of heart and soul

we are numbed by the speed

by sheer greed of a callous taker

a shaker of spirits

.

whose parched thirst is unslaked

whose belly remains unfilled

who cares not of lives taken

nor of tears in sadness spilled

.

our loved one is yesterday

where memories live

grief is for today

grief is lost tomorrows

.

while pain

a price paid for loving

leaves a deluge of rain

.

splattered drop sorrows

on stain red cheeks

from hollow eyes

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

I love how you begin with a more broad suffering, emptiness, pain and mourning for 400,000 US deaths , not just us, but all around the globe, the greed of one leader, chaos, death never to forget;
Then you bring it a to more personal level, your dear brother- in-law, a loving person for whom you are mourning at present; “leaves a deluge of rain”
Excellent work, Chris...peace and condolences, Betty

[Christine Anne Shaw]

World wide and personal, the battle is in full swing. There will be many more casualties before the back of this beast is broken. Thank you dear Betty.

Chris

[Helen]

This is heartfelt and heartachingly beautiful. Such perfectly penned lines that will sound familiar to anyone who is grieving... "grief is lost tomorrow's"

I was drawn to the title due to my job as an analyst.

I'm not a statistician .. my mind works better with patterns and words than it does with numbers. Since March I've been working on the Covid response for a local authority in an area with high cases. Never a statistic though, never just a number .. not a day goes by when my team don't mention the personal cost .. brought home now and then by tragic pictures of frontline colleagues who have died. Never a statistic, always a loved one.

Thank you for sharing and writing such engaging and important poetry Christine .

[Christine Anne Shaw]

I am really touched by this lovely review Helen. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Just Kim]

Such a deep write, so much emotion, nicely expressed

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Kim. Your visit and thoughts appreciated. All good wishes.

Chris

[Lorry]

Sorry for you and yours loss Chris,
We go through life as marks on a start sheet, an employee, NI number, a tick in a Y/N box and oh so many more too dreary to contemplate, but we are all a thousand things and more to so many we have know...brother in law, partner, parent, child, friend, colleague, assistant, teacher and so much more, yet even in death they still try to wrap us in their red tape and beaurock... Byoorok.... Bloody numbers!
Time of death, date of birth and death separated only by a - on a headstone, that would take a library of books to even scratch the surface of who that person is to even one of those they knew.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Lorry. Each day we get the drum roll of the numbers of people who have died the day before from covid. The numbers are shocking and we need to remind ourselves that each one of those lost lives was far greater than a small statistic. The loss of my sister's husband this week, just emphasised those feelings. As I wrote this I was able to remember all he meant to my sister and our family. She had been with him since she was 17, and I knew him as far back as me at 19 years old. There are so many, many lovely memories. This is the second attempt at responding to you. This site is a nightmare at the moment.

Chris

[Lorry]

Every one a story to so many can never be just a start. Uk will become 5th country to pass hundred thousand deaths in next day or so and only way I can comprehend that is to think of where I used to live,. Not the town, but the entire region is around 90,000 people, so it's like picturing everyone I used to see wherever I went in day to day life and picturing it now empty... Or three of where I live now (again, region not town) disappearing. Now that is a scary thought.
Ad all the people who mourn someone and your mind will melt at the thought.
Remember govt saying it could be as high as 20,000 deaths and trump saying no way it would be 100 to 200,000....bet they wish they had shut up now.

[barleygirl]

This is the most raucous powerful poem I've ever seen you write! Wow! I can feel you kinda raging out, in your subdued & slightly understated way. You show your family's private anguish alongside the bigger picture of pandemic slaughter & this amplifies your whole message to a deafening roar. I'm so sorry this damn thing has hit so close to home for all of you (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Beccy]

First, my heartfelt condolences Chris for the loss of your brother-in-law; such a sad thing and something that so many families are enduring at this time.

It is no real consolation, but there will be summers to come; but it is going to be one hell of a fight before this monster is finally slain. As for the deniers, (and I personally know more than one such idiot,) they are so very wrong both scientifically and morally.

Beccy.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you for your condolences and your visit Beccy. You know it is the deniers who concern me most. What planet are they living on?

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Yes dear Chris. The coronavirus took from us so much. I lost my father 29 January 2020 to her. My daughter, the nurse. Had the virus twice. I wish for normal days. Poor grandchildren are locked in the house. In the Spring, Summer and Fall. We could escape to the many lakes and forest near. Winter make the days slower and harder. I hope you are doing well and stay safe my dear friend.
Coyote

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Staying safe Coyote. Two grandchildren live with us, so we have company. Conversation is important. The days are cold, so we are looking forward to spring when we can spend more time outside. So sorry about you Dad and your daughter has had a bad time too. I expect your grandchildren miss the outside freedom. Take care and keep safe.
Let's hope the vaccine roll out will bring some normality back in the near future.

Chris.

[Coyote Poetry]

I hope so dear Chris. The grandchildren and I. We have great plans for some fieldtrips. Have some fun and stay safe.

[MCS]

the numbers are overwhelming
the loss is staggering
its just been too much
we will never be the same after this experience

[Christine Anne Shaw]

How right you are and then you remember there are those who believe it is no worse than a dose of flu and you despair. Many thanks MCS for your visit. Keep safe.

Chris

[Relic]

There will be many more deaths and broken hearts before it's done scorching a path across the world. Life is not always fair. It's often cruel.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Tim and you are right life is unfair. It has always been and always will be. The beast has yet to be broken.

Chris

[darshu]

Powerful poem 🙏..your poems are awesome ma'am..your poems give amazing message.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you darshu. Your review much appreciated.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... a powerful poem of leaving earth where mourning is felt in so many homes.
The moon will still shine in the heavens where stars will reminisce and gather the memories of those lost. The vaccine is being prepared and millions will be prepared. A healing potion across Oceans. Be Brave... Be Well.. Amen

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Dear Pat, the vaccine is the way out of this. It will take time though. Many thank yous.

read moreDear Pat, the vaccine is the way out of this. It will take time though. Many thank yous.

Chris