A Losing Game

A Losing Game

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

(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

© 2021 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

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

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

She was an amazing talent and her music lives on in our household. Pleased you enjoy her voice too P.. read more



Reviews

not of my generation i had never heard of her until her death ... her life a very sad refrain to be sure .. her black and white videos and her voice remind me of Etta James and Billy Holliday in some way ... such an amazing gift, her voice. i suppose people clink glasses in admiration, and what could have been .. with such talent its easy to understand dedicated fans .. your poem paints the duality of it all says i! theses lines for me are so spot on the bittersweet of hearing songs sung with such talent and knowing we have her no more
"honeysuckle vines shoot strands
from beehive chaos"
like others are saying ... so many and so much lost to addictions and senseless and for some accidental death .. Jimi Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Jim Morrison ... Prince .. so so sad for the loss and what might have been :(
E.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Despite her early depart she has left a wonderful legacy but as you say, you can't help wondering on.. read more
Einstein Noodle

2 Years Ago

i feel you Chris and right back at ya double up! ;) Amy had an incredible voice and talent ... just .. read more
Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you Mr E. You know I love Ella Fitzgerald. That was mum and dad's influence but Amy was right .. read more
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There are so many deaths due to drug abuse or alcoholism.... And i think fame and drug are synonymous for some of the famous.... But the loss is for ours surely. You wrote a heartfelt tribute on her death anniversary... Yes, she was fragile but beautifully creative

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you Sima, tragically sad that she had to to use props to keep her going. A wonderful talent lo.. read more
Another of the 27 club...they are raising their glasses there, but not clinking them, just raising them
You raise awareness of what she meant in music with this fine poem of tribute.
j.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Yes another of the 27 club. What is it about that number? Thank you J. Amy was a huge talent. I watc.. read more
First off, the name really caught my eye and then I spotted it was about Amy Whitehouse, who I think was an absolutely gorgeous and wonderful singer who my mother loves dearly too. This was a breathtaking tribute, but it’s such an awful thing that people in the music industry, such as Kurt Cobain and others die due to alcohol or bad drugs. It’s such an absolutely heart wrenching loss when we lose someone who creates so much wonder and music in the world, but you’re tribute I believe, keeps those spirits going, and at the very least, Amy Winehouse was able to share some of her brilliant mind with us. These singers have saved so, so many lives. David Bowie, Freddy Mercury, Bob Marley and much more. This was a wonderful tribute. Thank you so much for always posting such kind, beautiful pieces of art.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review Colacat. Yes, we have lost some huge talent but they h.. read more
Creative people seem unusually susceptible to the dangers of substances. If you count the numbers of those artists who have died from overdoses of one drug or another, you will find yourself in double digits very quickly. Amy Winehouse was one of those immensely talented people who destroyed themselves via alcohol. Talent can sometimes come with a heavy price tag.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

So true John. So many really talented musicians have bailed out early as a result of addictions. Yes.. read more
Hello, Christine! :)
This is a lovely tribute. I dont know any of Amy's songs. Which do you recommend?

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

She never recorded a bad song. Back to black, Love is a losing game, Valerie, Rehab. Far to many to .. read more
mattavelli

2 Years Ago

I'll listen. :)
Apart from a good write Chris, this is a constant reminder to all those singers we admired and loved their music. Their music lives on but the possibilities of more musical enjoyment sadly is the loss we have to bear in remembrance.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you Andrew. I wrote this while watching her mum and dad talk about her. It was a heart breaker.. read more
andrew mitchell

2 Years Ago

She has some great songs, drugs were her downfall but that was her escape sadly.
Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

True. First it was drugs and then she switched addictions. Alcohol poisoning killed her. So sad.
I think of Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley. Tortured artists. I wonder if they would have made such great music if they were not tortured?

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

I think that must be a possibility. The more tortured their soul, the greater the performer. Many th.. read more
A wonderful caring tribute to the singer, Chris, I have no doubt she would be absolutely touched and moved by it. It is truly sad she died young and sadder still too awful addiction. All the new wonderful and beautiful songs we will never be able to hear because of her loss is truly sad. Thank you for sharing your tribute to her with us.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you Carlos. Wrote this last night as I watched a programme on her from her mum and dad's persp.. read more
It is sad when a star we admire dies. When we feel connected to their artistry it is like losing a loved one.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

She achieved so much in such a short space of time. Sadly her addictions got the better of her and w.. read more

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Added on July 24, 2021
Last Updated on July 24, 2021

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

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Spoken Spoken

A Poem by Chris Shaw



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