All of This is Temporary

today I wear
my mother's coat
a shade of sage
zipped to my throat

today I wear
my mother's coat
to bring her closer
draw her home

a breath of her
familiar scent
assuages soothes
her kindness lent

where waves of grief
relentless fall
I hear the softness
of her voice

I hear her words
her wisdom sent
all of this you've had before
all of this is temporary

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

the sadness in your poem touches me deeply, Chris .. me Ma passed almost 20 yrs. ago now and my memories of her and the presence of her "things" bring with them joy .. i can feel the healing as your protagonist wraps that coat and zips it up tight .. i can see you breathing in those scents, Chris .. well done .. for you it has not been that long ago and i wish you well and send hugs your way if you like :)
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for the hugs Mr E. Yes, acceptance and healing. It helps to wear my mum's coat. That brings comfort. Sad yes, but I wouldn't wish her back. She was ready to go. Pleased you stopped by. Have a loveyl Wednesday.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

same to you Chris! :)

[Richard M]

This is a beautiful write Chris, although very sad. My condolences, prayers and thoughts are with you my friend (((HUGS)))
Richard

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Richard for your lovely response. I hope you are keeping well my friend. All good wishes from across the pond.

Chris

[JE Falcon]

I love this poem, but I was saddened by the end; I didn't want to be sad.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Falcon. Yes it is a sad poem, but that is where the muse is taking me at the moment. I'm pleased you liked the poem. Hope you are doing well. Always good to get a visit from you. Best wishes.

Chris

[Bliss in Sorrow]

Thanks for sharing this emotional poem Chris. We always tend to associate few things with our loved ones which comfort us when they are not around. I enjoyed reading it :)

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased you enjoyed my poem. Thank you kindly for stopping by. All good wishes.

Chris

[CD Campbell]

Yup. Temporary. I still have my grandfathers coat after almost 30 years. The scent is gone, but I still put it on from time to time. Yep, still fits. Dated, maybe it come back in style. It's ugly, I hope not. LOL..

You repeated the same two lines in the first two stanzas. The repetition really added a heaviness to the poem that said "hey, pay attention". You got it. The rest describes the feeling of putting on something so close. The scent, the feel, the look that you knew so well. It's intimate. This poem transports the readers into the writers mind and in turn into her grief, but there is comfort there. There is that and it's sigh worthy. Excellent.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for that great review CD. You know I smiled that you have still got your Grandfather's coat. I really think you got this poem :) Thanks a bunch.

Chris

[Harmony.Txx]

Thank you for this beautiful poem...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend for your lovely review. All good wishes.

Chris

[Ranger Kessel]

I can feel emotion in your writing that speaks to me. Its feels thankful and sad. I enjoyed this piece. Thanks fir posting it

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ranger. I appreciate all the visits to my posts you made yesterday. A huge thank you.
read moreThank you Ranger. I appreciate all the visits to my posts you made yesterday. A huge thank you.

Chris

[Ranger Kessel]

A pleasure and your welcome

[Alan S Jeeves]

Quite clever, Chris, to use 'mother's coat' as a metaphor. Quatrains are nice and the whole length of the piece is just right in my opinion. Well done. Kind regards, Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Alan. I appreciate your time and thoughts on this piece. Have a good weekend. Kind regards

Chris

[Neville]

I too have been there .. I still occasionally wear my fathers jacket ... and although having written about it several times to date, there will never be enough time to say everything I want to say .. I can feel the ache and the void these words were sadly inspired by.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville. It is surprising how much comfort can be absorbed into your being by wearing a garment of someone much loved, no longer with us, but you understand that if you still wear your Father's coat.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

A moment, then gone, but in this moment when you are wearing your mother's coat, you sense her aura, even her emotions... and yours which seem to be filled with grief, but even that is fleeting; the coat reminds you of so many things about your mother, yet they flee in a moment's notice. A sad poem with many feelings shared. I once tried on my mother's fur coat, and it sunk to the ground and I looked like a bear.
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Betty, thank you so much for your thoughtful review. Hope all is well with you and I appreciate you stopping by. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome dear Chris.
You have a good weekend as well.
Best, B

[Eilis]

Those things we have to hold close when a loved one is gone do help to ease the loss sometimes. Sometimes they can contribute to the pain when it is so fresh, but then the time comes when we can feel them and bask in the memories and be comforted. That is what your poem speaks to me of, Chris. The balm of having something tangible to bolster the memory and keep the grand lessons alive.

Your mother imparted wisdom, I see. We can love and mourn and hold close, but also it’s important to remember we are still alive and must live out the rest of our story. This is a comforting poem for me. The loss is keenly felt but so is the comfort. You have written something beautiful about your pain. I’m so sorry for your loss.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Eilis for that lovely review. Pleased to have you visit. I do hope all is good with you. All the best.

Chris