Out of Dust and Memories

(sorting out my aunt's home before selling)

frugality leaves a deep imprint

a lifetime impacted by ration books

with wartime evacuations

there are no excesses of living here

no shelves of reading to thumb 

through with an avid interest

no artwork on blue rose wallpaper

nor hidden jewels tucked away

in locked mahogany drawers

a noticed absence of photographs

apart from four framed and hanging

lifeless on a floral background

my paternal grandparents in

monochrome my great grandparents

in solemn splendour face me

stiff in their high starch collars

bringing a tear to a saddened eye

watered by ancestral heart strings

unexpected treasure found

case bound Chaucer's Canterbury tales

gold lettering bold on olive green

buried at the rear of a musty

wardrobe an award gifted to Albert

as a ten year old

for studies in English literature

the same Albert who recited

Tennyson to me in tender years

where i learned off by heart stanzas

from the Lady of Shalott igniting

my love for poetry

Reviews

[CD Campbell]

It seemed like the everything was lifeless and cold upon first observation, you painted a sullen, yet grand picture and used that to build tension to the very end. The end was the seed that became part of what you are now. That is craftsmanship. Enjoyed this immensely. CD

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for a great t review CD. I appreciate your thoughts and your visit.

Chris

[Ranger Kessel]

Youre welcome

[Mauricio Montoya]

It is a good read to remember what we forget at heart.

[Paul Michael Kelly]

Gratitude to you, Chris Shaw, for sharing with us, with me, your journey through time, your observations of scarcity and your feelings of deep value for what must have meant so much to your dear grandfather. He planted a seed in fertile ground, and now, after so many years, I see what has grown...

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous for stopping by Paul to share your thoughts and leave me such a pleasant review. You made my day.
Chris

[Kady R.]

Hiiii Chris!! I'm new to the writers cafe and stumbled across your poem. I can imagine what you wrote here and it was a real pleasure to read this poem. Thanks for sharing a piece of yourself and your family.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Kady Delighted you stopped by with your kind thoughts. Many thanks.

Chris

[Mauricio Montoya]

Chris everything gone, no I think we hold that most dear, but I do love your poetry, it lifts my heart

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mauricio , and you lift my heart with your kindness. Thank you so much for your visit.

Chris

[Lara]

This piece is nicely crafted, Chris. (for me, anyway).
The "frugality" and "solemn splendour" enhance with your pen's restraint, and Chaucer's heirloom keepsake shines through dust and memory.

I think this is really good crafting on one hand.
On the other hand it's touching. Poignant, reflective, and yet sparks affection - particularly the last stanza, where "the Lady of Shalott" is a valued flint stone.

I like this!

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate your thoughts Lara. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Soren]

Sometimes dust is familiar and home where memories are kept and not discarded like dust being taken off each day. I think that a good layer of dust makes for memories otherwise they are not yesterday but today. Very nice Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Soren. Your thoughts very much appreciated. All the best.

Chris

[Arti]

Hi chris,
How are you??
I am missing you 💖. Hope everything is fine.
Kindly take care of yourself.

Jessy Jacob.

[Chris Shaw]

All is good Jessy. Thank you for stopping by.

Chris

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful work. You bring this vivid life.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Thomas. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Beautiful write Chris well executed hope you are well x

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Julie. All is well. Busy days. Keep well and happy.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Hello Chris
a melancholy poem of dusty memories…empty walls…”no excesses of living here” describes this scene best…. but then a discovery of books of Tennyson literature recited to you in younger years…which ignited your love of poetry…so well written and the ending so sweet and satisfying….
Bravo! Warmly,
B🌷🌷🌷🌷

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Betty. My aunt led a very frugal life. It was sad to clear her home before she when into residential care. Lovely to find a review from you. Life is so busy at the moment, I am finding it difficult to squeeze poetry in. Will call on you soon and hope all is well in your world. Sending best wishes to you and yours 🌹🌹🌹

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

I understand completely, no apologies, just hope you are doing well🌷🌷
Warmly B

[Lorry]

Those dusty memories are like a time capsule to long forgotten times and tell a kid they are on rations now and they'd think that meant only two trips to McDonald's a week!
When my wee mammy was still here she used to go on and on about how she would never starve as she was the only one who liked powdered eggs.
She actually preferred them over real eggs, which to her were abundant as she got evacuated to a farm in Ireland.
We even got her a tin of them for her 80th birthday when we found out they were still available (at a much inflated price) and next day or so she asked I'd we had any more! She'd gone through the whole tin in the space of 24 hours!
But yes, no heirlooms here either. But what else could you expect from the make do and mend attitude that got us through it all.
I'm grateful ithappened when it did, because if this generation had to defend us, I'm sure we'd all be speaking German by now!
Happy memories, born from terrible times.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Lorry, a big thank you for calling on this old poem. You made me laugh when you mentioned powdered eggs. All I could think of was the strong smell of sulphur. My aunt led a very frugal life and it was sad to clear out her home before she moved into residential care. I hope all is good in your world. Mine is currently very busy and poetry is on the back burner. Have a great weekend.

Chris

[Lorry]

All good here. That big yellow skyball of fire was out here too.
Isn't it weird I spend all year shivering and now I think it'd too hot! 😃