All of This is Temporary

All of This is Temporary

A Poem by Chris Shaw

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


© 2022 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

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.

Posted 1 Year Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you for the hugs Mr E. Yes, acceptance and healing. It helps to wear my mum's coat. That bring.. read more
Einstein Noodle

1 Year Ago

same to you Chris! :)



Reviews

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

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

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


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



Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you Neville. It is surprising how much comfort can be absorbed into your being by wearing a ga.. read more
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

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Dear Betty, thank you so much for your thoughtful review. Hope all is well with you and I appreciate.. read more
Betty Hermelee

1 Year Ago

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

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you Eilis for that lovely review. Pleased to have you visit. I do hope all is good with you. A.. read more
Beautiful poem Chris
I still have old scarves and old favourite cardigans of mums in my third drawer
I can’t part

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

You understand then Julie. Thanks hon, for checking this one out.

Chris
Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)

1 Year Ago

Yes I 👍 do
I lost mum 8 years ago
A pure angel she is and was on earth
Yo.. read more
Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

And you too xx
You reminded me of my grandmother. In the middle east,grandmother is far more traditional than the modern west. I suggest you once visit countries like Turkey and Iran to write a poem with an Asian style.
Best Wishes
Nima Hope

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Interesting point you raise here Nima. This is written by a grandmother for her mum who was also a g.. read more
Well done Chris. The loss of someone so close releases all sorts of deep feelings. Time can help and life goes on but there are always triggers that bring the loss back.
Take care,
Alan

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Dear Alan thank you so much for your lovely review. Really appreciate your words. All the best.
read more
OH MY, Chris, this poem hits me hard. Yes, wearing something that belonged to a loved one makes us feel them all over again. Their scent, the feel of their touch. It can be very comforting. I have a feeling thoughts of your mom are never far from your heart. What a beautiful poem this is! Lydi**

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Hi Lydi**. You are so right. At the present time thoughts of my mum are never far away. Thank you fo.. read more
Our sense of smell is underrated. Triggers so many things. I like how you build on that idea without being obvious about it. And I really liked the idea that if we wear our memories we can become those memories. Good poem Chris!

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you Bill. You are so right about the power of smell. It does trigger memories. Pleased you enj.. read more
Thanks for your review. I was touched by your poem "all of this is temporary." My mother passed when I was seven. I wish I had her coat.

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

How sad to lose your mother at seven. I am so sorry to hear that. Your review here though is very we.. read more

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Added on May 14, 2022
Last Updated on May 14, 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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