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

[h d e rushin]

since there is no logical parallel to what the world is experiencing, we have to turn to the poets to try and make sense of this. All of this. God commands this shelter from pain perhaps; this metaphoric proposition that not only occupies our grief but rolls back the stone of uncertainty if the angels are too busy.....dana

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Dana for sharing your thoughts. A welcome visit from you. All the best.

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

[Cassie]

ohh so sorry for your loss dear Chris.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you lovely Cassie of the smiling face. Be safe, take care.

Chris

[Gee]

Good morning Christine, so sorry to read of your loss.
My thoughts and best wishes are with you all.
Take care :)

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Gee. Really appreciate your visit.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

My condolences. The pain comes through piercingly in this offering. Yes, the beast's belly does remain unfilled, and the end is not yet. I heard today that the US death total for covid is now greater than that for its combat deaths in WW2. Yet we will endure until the beast is dead.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you John. The beast will die for sure, but he is not finished yet by a long way and will break many more hearts.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the virus is winning...and it has us mentally and emotionally worn down...taking the fight out of us.
j.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

We have the weapons to kill it, we just need to apply them with intelligence.

[Miss Sharon]

You have captured the "broken" feeling of our country...and the world for that matter. (we are empty of heart and soul) How I have felt this. ~Sharon

[Christine Anne Shaw]

We can survive the battleground and we will, but it will take time. Thank you dear Sharon. Keep safe and well.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Oh, i am so sorry to hear he has passed.
Your poem says it all Chris, our hearts are grieving, not just for our own but for the all the souls this dreaful virus has so cruelly taken from us.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thanks Stella. The enemy is powerful, but can be beaten. We have the means to do it, but there will be many more casualties.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

This is a wonderful remembrance for an awful event
It must be a terrible shock to have this situation strike so close, leaving a family in such sorrow
These are certainly very difficult times

[Christine Anne Shaw]

The battle is in full swing. The enemy is powerful, but it can be beaten. We have the means, but it will take more time and sadly many more casualties. We are just another family who knows its pain.

Chris

[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