A Losing Game

(A tribute on the 10th anniversary of her death, Amy Winehouse)

           somehow

.

it seems a tad distasteful

that raised wine glasses

       clink for amy

.

especially when her crusade

against alcohol addiction 

    became a lost cause

.

ten years gone while our

bluebird of happiness swings

    in its usual place

.

            suspended

from a central wooden beam

    over our summer deck

.

     in silent appreciation

as back to black plays its dark

              lament

.

     as lantern light flickers

honeysuckle vines shoot strands

        from beehive chaos

.

saluting the mistress of song's

        creative vowels

       in scented respect

Reviews

[Patricia]

Im not sure if I already reviewed this but don’t think I did. Amy was a rare talent that I adore! Many of her songs are in my playlist. Such a shame and broke my heart that she outwardly portrayed herself as ok with her choices when I am sure she wasn’t. It seems talents like this muse from the pain and recreate it over and over. A vicious cycle of addiction. This is an amazing write, a tribute actually to that sad beautiful talent

[Chris Shaw]

She was an amazing talent and her music lives on in our household. Pleased you enjoy her voice too Patricia. Thank you my friend.

Chris

[Anjeline]

Nicely written as always, it's sad that she left the world so soon. I didn't know earlier about Amy Winehouse but thanks to you I heard her songs and liked it too. Also, I really liked the use of "bluebird of happiness" which is both clever and apt to use.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Anjeline, pleased you looked her up. She had a huge talent as well as a self destructive streak. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Amy Winehouse....a talent gone too soon. She had demons and could no longer dance with them. Your words are a fine tribute to her. Alcoholism is a terrible disease. Too many are lost to it every year. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lydi**. She was a huge talent and sadly vulnerable with it. I love her voice, listen to her frequently. Hope you are well.

Chris

[Pauline]

Such a beautiful tribute you have placed here Chris to dear Amy. I hate the way they flaunted it on tv, making money out of her downfall. What ever happened to 'respect for the departed' and 'rest in peace?'

Pauline.

[Chris Shaw]

So talented and yet so vulnerable. She has left a legacy of wonderful music. Thank you Pauline.
read moreSo talented and yet so vulnerable. She has left a legacy of wonderful music. Thank you Pauline.

Chris

[Pauline]

You're most welcome Chris.

[red93]

A really well-written tribute, where you exercise tact and diplomacy regarding the Singer's sad decline and tragically early passing away. Beautiful images of yr location while listening as well Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony. She had amazing talent and sadly also a self destructive streak. So vulnerable. All the best.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... I was raised in a Religion that kept Saturday as the Sabbath... and
I appreciate many venues to consider and have benefitted from many deep thoughts.
However, the religion was not Keen on Fiction to read or Music that they thought was too "Worldly".
Therefor, I was not familiar with many Songs and musicians. I am slowly through the years "catching up".
I once heard--- "It is not Wise to be so Heavenly "Bent"-- to be No Earthly Good" or something to that effect.
They definitely knew about the Force of Good-- and the Force of Evil-- which we can see even in this our day and age. I always learn from your Poetry. truly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pat. She had an amazing voice, but sadly was so self destructive. Maybe that helped her creative side, but what a price to pay. At 27 she hardly lived. Well worth listening to her. Have a lovely weekend Pat and I am so pleased you are able to catch up now with what you missed earlier in your life. Sending love across the pond.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

What a nice tribute. Sad to see any life wasted on alcohol. The only celebrity I've openly mourned was Jeff Healey when he succumbed to brain cancer. He struggled all of his life with blindness. After being given up for adoption he was almost one year old when he lost his sight due to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes. The Canadian was a magnificent guitarist.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Fabian for your lovely review. I don't know Jeff Healey but he sounds as though he was an amazing person. I am going to Google him to find out more. How wonderful he didn't let his disability control his life. All the best to you.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Oh, wow. Look up "Look at little Sister" by Jeff Healey and the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan on YouTube. I NEVER thought ANYONE could take the stage away from Stevie Ray but Healey did. And Stevie Ray was just cheering him on. Awesome video.

[Kerra]

Love this write, especially the last stanza. Awesome! as well as sad

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Kerra. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[barleygirl]

There's something very haunting about watching a celebrity go down becuz it's all done under the vicious eye of the media & stage lights, etc. You've captured that haunting tone perfectly here (((HUGS)))

[Chris Shaw]

I agree, the death of such a talented but tragic young woman fighting her demons lingers. Shows how fragile life can be. Thank you Margie.

Chris

[Gee]

Such a sad loss of an incredibly talented lady.
A lovely tribute Christine :)
Hope you and yours are keeping well in Berks

[Chris Shaw]

Talented and missed. She is up there with the greats. Unique voice. Many thanks Gee for calling on this tribute. Have a great day.

Chris

[Crowley]

A sad story for such a beautiful soul. I loved that fist stanza a lot, it is so telling of how this world seems to work. A great tribute to a wonderful voice and beautiful woman.

[Chris Shaw]

Amy, tragic Amy. Left us a legacy of wonderful music, but also a hole in the heart. There could have been so much more. Thanks Crowley fir stopping by.

Chris