Turning the Clock Back

Turning the Clock Back

A Poem by Chris Shaw

sometimes i return to that cold
back bedroom on the first floor of
my grandparent's old terraced home

where my legs fidget in bed
as my younger sister dreams
soundly beneath rose candlewick

while i count on my abacus fingers
tube trains as they rattle along
electric rails on top of tall arches

where brickwork is blackened by
smog in the shade of the oldest tree
in a postage stamp garden

flooding the room with false light
shaking the sash windows
twitching the jaundiced net curtains

out of their slumber while i try
my hardest to fall like Alice  down
the rabbit hole into wonderland

and eventually ..........into sleep

© 2022 Chris Shaw


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one does not need an imagination to find oneself transported somehow to that cold back bedroom on the first floor of some old terraced house .. had you not mentioned your grandparents though, I could have sworn it was 24 spencer bridge Rd .. and my younger brother beneath the rose candlewick ..

Neville




Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

The bedroom may have been cold but the memories couldn't have been warmer. A comfort zone. Thank you.. read more



Reviews



one does not need an imagination to find oneself transported somehow to that cold back bedroom on the first floor of some old terraced house .. had you not mentioned your grandparents though, I could have sworn it was 24 spencer bridge Rd .. and my younger brother beneath the rose candlewick ..

Neville




Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

The bedroom may have been cold but the memories couldn't have been warmer. A comfort zone. Thank you.. read more
Such sweet reminiscing. In a grandparents' home we feel safe and it is okay to slide down that rabbit hole. Loved the line, "i count on my abacus fingers"....again, your words are so descriptive. Always a pleasure, Chris. Lydi**

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

You are so encouraging with your reviews Lydi**. Thank you so much for stopping by. Always good to s.. read more
You have such awesome description in this piece I am jealous. I really liked abacus fingers. So many others. This made me feel good. Thanks for posting it.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Aw what a knock out review. Thank you so much Ranger.

Chris
Ranger Kessel

2 Years Ago

You're welcome
Chris,
This poem transports me to "that cold back bedroom" in the house "where brickwork is blackened by smog" and I can see the "jaundiced net curtains" illuminated by the light from the train. Your images conjure similar images from my youth, which makes the personal experience you write about all the more tangible and relatable.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you fir the read Richard and your nice comments. You are appreciated. Pleased you could relate.. read more
What are memories for, but to give us comfort. The scenery from your mind to mine has created such a wonderful view, it's as if I was there with you as a child. You're pretty good at that. I remember many times how hard it was to go to sleep at my Grandpas house in Tulsa. He was a Shriner and had all these clown paintings and pictures on the wall. It was so creepy for some reason. I'm not one of those people that hates clowns. But in hindsight, now that I'm older, I've realized how proud he was of the work he had done with them. Makes sense he would fill a room with that stuff. Should have slept on the couch in the living room. Haha. Anyway, lovely poem.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thanks CD for stopping by and your lovely review. A big thanks too for sharing your Grandpa with me... read more
Certain words transport me to countries. Saying abacus took me to Japan learning in grade school how to use one. The calm sound of trains. False light projecting. Our old bedroom a time capsule. A very enjoyable read.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you duff for your thoughts which were of real interest. Abacus and Japan have a real link for .. read more
duff

2 Years Ago

They actually would have abacus tournaments and I've never seen hands move that quick. You're welcom.. read more
one can envision the vivid scene
within this well crafted poem
of bygone times ..detailed
descriptives of that era so
well expressed ..enjoyed



Posted 2 Years Ago


Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you Fran for sharing your thoughts and your kind review. All the best.

Chris
  Fran Marie

2 Years Ago

quite welcome dear friend
I was starting to think you may have been drinking that same potion Alice drank before stepping into wonderland. I would describe this poem as ambiguous. Which I like because it feels good to scratch my head.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Ambiguous is fine by me. You know I am an insomniac and it appears it started early in life. My sis .. read more
William Michael Reeves

2 Years Ago

Sleep deprivation causes hallucinatory poems. I see!
Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Ha! :)...............
It might be a cliche, but it's true nevertheless, that art can open doors to another one's soul, and transport us into another world. This poem is a good example of such art.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

My roots in the west of London. Pleased you stopped by to share your thoughts Laz. Thank you so much.. read more
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Gee
How annoying your sister sleeps so easily whilst You struggle to get some shut eye :)
You paint a vivid picture of a life lived in the 50's, 60s. I remember the " jaundiced" nets well, there was no Mrs Hinch in those times!
So descriptive, loved it, makes me want to try my hand :))

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Aw thanks Gee. I seem to be on a nostalgia kick at the moment. That is all my absent and lazy muse c.. read more

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Added on April 20, 2022
Last Updated on April 20, 2022

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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