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

[Gee]

There was a lovely picture of him, his wife and four daughters in today's paper's. Such a waste of life, and for what ?
Hi Christine, hope you are well

[Chris Shaw]

I saw that photograph. What an incredible waste of a thoroughly decent human being, loved by so many. We are back in Brixham Gee, all with heavy colds. Thanks for stopping by. Take care of yourself.

Chris

[Gee]

Get well soon and praise be to Mo Salah :))

[Pauline]

"To blades and blood in churches now where good men die." A very sad state of affairs Chris. Such a mild and gentle man.
A very well written piece about a shocking affair.

Pauline.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pauline. I appreciate your thoughts. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[no tell writer]

I really loved your last stanza, this poem in really good, made me think a bit.
Violence is such a horrible thing anymore... I don't understand why people
are like that... Nicely expressed write, emotional read

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Katzie. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Violence is our permanent roommate now...
we cannot get it evicted.
Such a sad and fearful moment to have to remember.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you J. What a terrible thought. We live with the fear of violence now. Unthinkable when I was younger.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Chris for your poem on this dark moment and the turmoil of hate that permeates within society. Terrorism is a blight upon humanity. In the battle of ideologies the one that fails is the one that seeks to end all conversations through violence. A hatred for life because of our differences should never be a resolution to any situation political or otherwise. I hope you are doing well and are safe over there, Chris. You are in our thoughts.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Carlos for your wise words. We seem to be living in increasingly violent times when the ballot box counts for nothing. Our politicians have a duty to protect us citizens and even they are a target for the violence themselves. Sad times.

Chris

[Dylan Macadham]

Impromptu, your thoughts fresh, and so Sad, yet a treat to read you in real time.
Thanks,
Dylan

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for a lovely review Dylan. You are always encouraging.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

A poignant piece..i fear violence
Will always be prevalent in our
world of today..it becomes darker
each day with the dirty deeds mankind
has wrought and you captured that
within your poetic verse so we'll done.

[Chris Shaw]

Tha k you Fran. Sadly I think you are right. Take care and keep safe.

Chris

[Bob B]

This is very poignantly expressed. I really like the color imagery that you used, too. Such a sad occurrence.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Bob. Appreciate you checking in with your thoughts.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

Whatever your colour, sex, political leanings, age, or belief you should be able to practice freely and more importantly peacefully without hindrance. Intolerance has become almost a religion in its own right.
Name calling is rife whenever persons talks to one another.
Tribalism has seemingly set in without anyone noticing from both ends of any political spectrum you care to mention. And people kill because of what they believe. And that belief is wrong if it involves the death of another or any kind of violence at all.
Society is dying. I'm glad I'm not going to be here much longer personally. but I truly dispair speaking as a retired teacher, (if there is such a thing truly) for the young people left behind as a group.
I have a theory that may be mocked if you wish. I believe we will only become one world when we leave it. It is human nature to find someone to hate. Only when we can hate someone not of this planet can we become one planet equal and undivided.
And finally in my tirade against injustice. The only way to disagree with someone who is performing their democratic right is democratically.
The poem is well written if sad but then could it be anything else?

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Ken, thank you so much for sharing all your thoughts about the current state of play. Yes there is dreadful intolerance leading to violence. Some people think it is their way or no way at all. That spells danger. We live in sad times. I am feeling my age.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

Same here Chris. their way or no way at all. That puts my ramblings above into a nutshell.

[Kathy Mc Cathy]

A touching read , I am not familiar with this incident but you have my heartfelt condolences for this , a nice write
Love Kathy

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Kathy for stopping by. You are appreciated.

Chris