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! :)

[Red Brick Keshner]

This is brilliant, Chris! Brought me back to my early childhood when I would at times cloak myself in my parents clothing to feel their warmth and smell them, it’s almost like getting an embrace, however fleeting, of those who aren’t present with us. Thank you so much for sharing. /Frederick.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Frederick. Pleased you could relate to this piece. Really appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Patricia]

So touching and heartwarming and can relate. I think this is my favorite about your mom.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear friend. Pleased you enjoyed this poem. It was written with deep feeling.

read moreThank you dear friend. Pleased you enjoyed this poem. It was written with deep feeling.

Chris

[Patricia]

I can tell and this brought up deep feelings, to be honest this brings up the one high octane sense of my mother. as a kid when I would get sick and be at home alone from school I would wear her robe, it smelled like her, her perfume and her make up and it was comforting and even as an adult after she passed I would smell her robe and so many emotions and memories were invoked just by the scent of it which I am sure you know is our strongest sense for memory. This poem just brought it all back to me and even now as I write this I can smell her. so....thank you for that. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for sharing that with me hon. X

[Lathen Griffiths]

I respect you my friend very much, you have a way of reminding us all that tomorrow is not guaranteed at all, as you state here ‘All of this is temporary’ …
I don’t find sadness in that … I find happiness in the fact that I met wonderful people like yourself along the the way.
Best wishes to you Chris

Lathe

[Chris Shaw]

You review Lathe is so very much appreciated, as is the sentiment in your words. It is the people we meet on our journey that make that journey so worth while. All the best my friend.

Chris

[Robert Haigh]

Those "things" that belonged to loved ones can be a comfort and a spiritual connection. I have an old wallet of my dad's. It is made of camel-skin and he bought it in Egypt, during World War Two, when he was stationed there, so it is now 80-years old! I do not use it as a wallet, I just keep it safe and take it out to look at and touch now and then. My youngest son says he would like to have it when I pass on. Your poem reminded me of my parents and how I remember them. A fine, heartfelt write, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

I love your response Robert. How precious that wallet is to you and how fitting for it to be passed down the family line. My mother left me her great grandmother's writing set. As I am the eldest of her chikdren she wanted to ensure that is passed on, and it will be. An item which connects us to our dearly departed. Have a great Saturday and thank you so much for calling on my poems.

Chris

[Robert Haigh]

You have a great day too, Chris. All the best ~ Robert

[lifejunkie]

You are doing the very, very best we can do with our grief, using it to make beautiful poetry as well as keep your vision fixed on how very short the separations between all loved ones are when measured against all eternity. This filled me up with sooo much hope!

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased my writing filled you with hope. Yes, I try to turn my grief into poetry. Somehow using my creative side to ride the tides of sadness, sort of turns a negative into a positive. Pleased you stopped by life junkie. You are very welcome and I wish you well on WC.

Chris

[keith]

i understand
my younger brother whom i have written many notes let me be an older brother and he made me a better man
he gave me this home and i see him everywhere every day and i say 'thankyou kevin'

your mother would be so proud, you have done such honor
honoring the deceased ensures safe passage to Valhalla
no words need be spoken ... they know

[Chris Shaw]

Keith, I am touched by your lovely review. Thank you so much.

Chris

[keith]

there is peace within every beast
thankyou

[Davidgeo]

In some of the more difficult US Army military schools it is common to hear from the instructors.... "everything is temporary".

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you internalize this outlook. Truly incredible things.

I'm not saying this is a good thing. Outside of the military I'm pretty sure this would be considered a personality disorder. Some of the best training comes from straight gas lighting people over long periods of time. Like I said... I'm not saying this is a good thing

(but it is a really effective thing)

[Chris Shaw]

Hello stranger

Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. Interesting to ponder. Hope all is OK in your world.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

What if we lived in the same world? What kind of "temporary situation" brings us as human beings into the same place? Would it take a war or... (I hope it doesn't take a war for me to meet you)

[red93]

Marvellous piece of writing Chris. God bless your dear Mother with Jesus in Heaven.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony for stopping by to leave such kind thoughts. Appreciated.

Chris

[red93]

No substitute for good old Christianity at times like these.

[Chris Shaw]

I admire you Tony, fur your strong faith. I wish dearly I had been able to keep what I once had.
read moreI admire you Tony, fur your strong faith. I wish dearly I had been able to keep what I once had.

Chris

[Webster]

I cannot begin to fathom what you may have gone through but its like i can feel ur grief through the words... Brilliantly written!

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Webster, pleased to meet you. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your review. Pleased you called.

Chris