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.

[Ken Simm.]

So atmospheric. In one sense, almost gothic. The musty memories are palable. From my own experiences I can attached myself to this wonderful evocative poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ken for your lovely review. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.

Chris

[sonnie ibadah]

Beautifully penned! The bitter sweet reminiscent tone of this makes it so endearing.

[Chris Shaw]

Lovely to see you sonnie. Thank you for stopping by. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[redd Brick Keshner]

Breathtaking, a highway, a bridge, a pipeline direct from times past, through generations. My father who passed on this year (April 3) also loved poetry. He'd always say, 'poems should rhyme;' and later on, 'at least the better ones should.' But he never shared or read aloud this love of his. I chanced upon his cherished Complete Works of William Shakespeare, as a teenager, and began my ongoing love-hate relationship with the bard from Avon. The Lady of Shallot, though, was one of my early favourites, from primary school days. Today it still stands in my list of preferred poems of all time. Thanks for sharing. Frederick.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Frederick for your share. I love that poem The Lady of Shallot, it has wonderful memories for me. Pleased you stopped by with your thoughts.

Chris

[duff]

Your writing I admire so much. Tone and texture never fail to present itself. Splendid work.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you duff. Always good to have you stop by. Have a great day.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

What a wonderful poem that cwlebrates the moms that make us who we are. there nothing more inspiring than that.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dale. Appreciate your review. Have a good day.

Chris

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

What a beautiful light, you've written at the end of that dark tunnel of letting go. Having that kind of impact on others, is all we can really ask of this life. I enjoyed this very much, thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Travis for your lovely review. That book, a beautiful find on a sad occasion. Really appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

It's always a pleasure.

[Sami Khalil]

"for studies in English literature
the same Albert who recited
Tennyson to me in tender years

where i learned off by heart stanzas"

[Chris Shaw]

Knew passages off by heart Sami. Can still remember chunks if it now :) Thank you.

[Sami Khalil]

:::::))))))))..........

[Sami Khalil]

"there are no excesses of living here
no shelves of reading to thumb
through with an avid interest"

[Chris Shaw]

The poverty of the war years influenced her life. She wasted nothing and saved her money, didn't spend it. Her frugality of living was sad. Thank you Sami.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Sad indeed. Did not get to enjoy that money. You are welcome.

[Sami Khalil]

An awesome picture of sweet bitter memories of your relative's house as you take us on a past journey to discover and find priceless things tucked away here and there. Then I think you are going to pass it on to others. I like the idea of ancestral heartstrings.
Awesome as usual.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami. Yes, a family heirloom, to be passed on down the line. I hope I can influence one of the younger generation in the same way to have a life long love of poetry.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

I hope so. You are welcome.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

maybe this is why I found that card, Chris...some kind of mutual karma between us.
I love this poem....and just relate so much right at this moment.
"We're so sorry, Uncle Albert!"

we are the lucky ones that your love of poetry was ignited...
look at all the beautiful work we get to read.
j.

[Gee]

You are so right Jacob, uncle Albert gifted us a jewel

[Chris Shaw]

How strange we should both find something with a strong connection to our past and our Grandfathers at the same time. Mutual karma, I like that idea. Thrilled you like this one J. If it hadn't been for Albert I would not have found poetry. Thank you J and you too Gee for your kind words. Made my Sunday you have :)