From One Coast To Another

An impromptu write as a tribute to Sir David Amess M. P for Leigh on Sea, brutally murdered yesterday. Written from Brixham and for three men murdered in Forbury Park a year ago, so close to home

down by this harbour
where old work boats gather rust
where the life style echoes simple
where there's little show or fuss

as the locals go about their day
my thoughts have drifted far away
to blades and blood in churches now
where good men die

and yet somehow
within a week or maybe two
the horror done the viscious shock
will then remind us that the clock
its hands slice through its bloodied face

on it goes it will not stop
no the violence will not stop
as I grow old I'm thankful for
the shelter given from past wars
my forebears fought yet conflict spreads

it seems it inches closer now
today my thoughts are with the dead
yes my thoughts are with the dead
upon my doorstep last year seen
and yet again the terror strikes

how once my life was brimful green
is tainted now the colours turn
my heart and soul are wretched blue
while on a church floor to the east
a stain is there it pools in red

Reviews

[M. J. Smith]

From these words, I gather that the murders happened on holy ground. That is the most heartbreaking of all. That Man would dare defile the house of God... I sense the heaviness of your heart and share it, if only for the loss of lives which fellow men should hold as sacred. For all that He has created is.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you MJS. So sad that this should occur. Really appreciating your visits.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I love the poem dear Chris. Feel of history and the real life.
"on it goes it will not stop
no the violence will not stop
as I grow old I'm thankful for
the shelter given from past wars
my forebears fought yet conflict spreads"
The above lines are my favorite. To appreciate the safety and a long life. Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote, your visits so much appreciated. Keep well and happy my friend.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear Chris and you are welcome.

[Zoe Richardson]

Violence cuts us all in ways we don't always recognize. There is a cure, but sadly, it is missing from today's society. Man's inhumanity to man is more stark and jarring as we get older. You bring that into focus with your words.

[Chris Shaw]

Your thoughts are appreciated and understood Zoe. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

I was very surprised at the Amess murder
It seems as if no place is safe.
Even in little Nanaimo gang violence is steadily increasing
from one coast to another is an apt reflection on the overall situation

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly we live in violent times, and it appears to be on the increase. On our own doorsteps whether we like it or not. :( Thanks for your thoughts Dave.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

yes .. coast to coast and back again .. murder is a dark dark spot on the soul but if Sir Amess' killing is a matter of politics and/or religious belief .. darker still says i! Obviously planned and executed without regard ... in a Church. I think your work setting the scene and tone on the docks and these lines especially:
"the horror done the viscious shock
will then remind us that the clock
its hands slice through its bloodied face" are brilliant, simply brilliant Chris! over in seconds .. those around stuck with paralysis ... serves to remind me this is not a safe place .. this world of ours .. it never has been and never will be .. "civilization" has lost its edge thinking it is .. T Rex and saber toothed tigers roam all our streets and lanes .. I think it is unwise to trust to others to come to our aid .. there are too few and they are usually to far away to respond .. I only read a few snippets about Sir Amess and all characterized him as kind and gentle .. so sad for the loss of him to your guys .. your poem is certainly emotive for me anyway .. and I am so sorry for this senseless murder .. :( nice work bringing it home to us in poetry ... peace and luv sister

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mr E, I thank you sharing your thoughts. Yes, he was a kind and gentle man and appreciated by everyone who knew him regardless of politics or religion. A planned attack by a fanatic who only had hatred in his heart. His life wasted too. And where does this get us? Precisely nowhere. All for nothing. Take care my friend over the pond.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

it is senseless; unfortunately terrorists do not see it that way. :((((((((((((((((

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right :(((

[Allen Smuckler]

It is a sad state of affairs and obviously a problem around the world. The imagery articulated in From One Coast to Another" to describe these murders and your reaction to them was mesmerizing. Great use of metaphors. "its hands slice through the bloodied face" says it all. I only wish we had an answer... but most murder is senseless and unexplainable. You did a great job trying. Though the content is disturbing, I enjoyed this read a great deal.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. I appreciate you stopping by with your thoughts. Have a great day.

Chris

[Relic]

I thought Mr. Amess's murder was senseless. Violence has been a part of society, any society, sinse time began. What a shame it is that so much of it is still prevalent in our modern troubled world.

New York City, specifically Manhatten, close to where I live, is so out of control, people don't want to go there. These words you share are deep with emotion and reflection.

[Chris Shaw]

I see and hear about more violence these days than at any previous time in my life. You are right, it has always been there, but not rammed down your throat on a daily basis. So much violence in my own vicinity over the last couple of years. Shocking it is. Thanks Tim. The Internet sadly helps to spread it.

Chris

[Relic]

I agree with you on that.

[Lydia Shutter]

Unfortunately, violence is so commonplace in our lives these days that we sometimes do not drink in the enormity of it all. The lives lost and the lives effected....too numerous to even grasp. Your imagery is graphic and the emotions are powerful. So well written, Chris. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

I remember when there wasn't violence. When it wasn't common place. Some things don't improve with time sadly Lydi**. I pity my grandchildren growing up in an era where violence is part and parcel of every day life. Fortunately, my younger years weren't marred in this way. Thank you fir your thoughts dear Kydi**. I hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - so I'm not alone. The amount of violence has become so prevalent. I thought it was something that belonged exclusively to the U.S. BUT!! watching the news, picking up a newspaper it's too easy to see that the world is being overwhelmed by it. It seems that the politicians give the problem nothing more than "lip-service."
It seems that the world is going to Hell in a basket and quickly!
Take care of yourself - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Dave, violence is on the increase. There just seems to be so much of it. When I was young I was sheltered from it. We didn't have to worry. Our lives were peaceful. Not so now. Take care and look after yourself. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[.]

What a horrible thing to witness! I don't know why the world has become so violent lately and human lives are cheaper than ever....what a sorry state of affair you described here...enough to stir ones emotion!

Hope you are fine...take care

[Chris Shaw]

I despise violence Sima. It seems to be coming closer. Last year, it was very close to home, this year, it has struck again in a most terrifying way. Times are changing. When I was young, we didn't experience it so much. Life was more peaceful. Thank you dear poet.

Chris

[.]

Yes, life was peaceful earlier....you are so welcome

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... we are in total shock.... that our Country and others
have smothered the Concept of Peaceful Living. It is difficult to sleep
at night... even the Crickets have Come inside. Now we have to protect
the smallest creatures. And on top of all the violence... we seem to not
even have the Comfort of Rainbows... that were so common every Summer when I was growing up.
It seems we are the Keeper of the Gate... everywhere we go. We pray for guidance. gently, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

There don't seem to be many rainbows these days dear Pat. There do seem to be many blades gleaming gold and smeared in blood. We certainly need guidance. Thank you always dear friend for your perspective.

Chris