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! :)

[L. E. Standoff]

this is truly magnificent because of its carefully picked vernacular and amazingly written narrative which holds a feeling of grief that we have all felt before and that moment after we've lost someone and all we have left behind is reminders that they are gone which is a very hard feeling to represent in writing let alone a poem but you did so masterfully so please keep writing things that are as amazing as this.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you LE Standoff for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

All of this is temporary indeed... you set such a tone of sorrow, but also acceptance. Mourning the recent lose of a cousin I grew up with, this was much needed. Thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Sorry Travis for the loss of your cousin. Pleased you stopped by to share your thoughts. Your visit welcome and appreciated.

Chris

[Les]

This poem captures perfectly the transitory nature of life; nothing remains for ever. But perhaps it also carries the hope that everything is cyclical and that those we have loved and lost we may be reunited with one day.

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Les. Many tha k yous for stopping by to read and review. Pleased you shared your thoughts. All the best.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Hi Gordon,
Cold, silent with vases full of flowers..is a poem unto itself.
Isn't it amazing that a scent can remind you of a time gone by, or a loved one...
Sometimes I smell something and it reminds me of my grandmother and if I smell lanolin..well, thats my mother..Trying to remember a smell is impossible..at least or me..
Lisa, early morning i Spain

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lisa for reading and leaving your thoughts. It's true, smells can evoke strong memoriesread moreThank you Lisa for reading and leaving your thoughts. It's true, smells can evoke strong memories
Appreciate your input here.

Chris

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome Chris,
Lisa. now 7am

[Lisasview]

Good morning Chris,
I just went back to read your poem and I realize that I said Hi Gordon instead of Hi Chris.. I think I had read his poem right before yours..
Loved reading your poem again this morning,
Lisa

[Gee]

Sadly once they are gone it is their clothing with the unmistakable scent of them that is the nearest thing we can get to a hug.
Brought back many happy memories of mum and also a sad, sad one of clearing her wee apartment, cold, silent with vases full of flowers, each with a mothers day greeting.
Such a lovely piece of writing Christine.
I hope you pain is easing :))

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for your understanding Gee. Grief is grief. You have to work through it. Most days now are OK and then one of those 10 meter high breakers rolls in to flatten you :) Your lovely review is appreciated.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Indeed, everything is time sensitive. That's one positive thing grief can teach us. Our time here is finite, so we must remember to use it wisely.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks John. Grief can teach us many things. It certainly focuses the mind when dealing with priorities. Appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[R J Askew]

Oh life! They are there for us and then they are gone and we become them.

[Chris Shaw]

There is much truth in what you say here. I appreciate your thoughts abd thank you for stopping by.

Chris

[lightsong]

I can cry an hour to this... to the mastery and majesty of your pen, feelings and the authenticity of You, my ever elegant, loving, beautiful Miss Chris❤️ You know already that I don't even have a relationship with my mother, but one thing of my childhood that lingers, the Chanel perfume on her woolen coat.

Billions of soft star-lights to glow from my evening here to your heart. I know your Mom feels You and come to You anytime You call Her ❤️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely review. I was very fortunate to have a wonderful mum. I know only too well

[Chris Shaw]

oops, that others are not so blessed. I am so sorry you have that experience lightsong. I am touched by your words.

Chris

[Aura]

This is such a emotional write. Some objects like clothing remind us of the ones we lost, such as your mothers coat. It makes us almost believe they are still here with us, and that we can hear their voices. But all of this is temporary, life is temporary I mean. And one say, in some shape or form lost ones will be reunited again.

[Chris Shaw]

Aura, so pleased you stopped by to share your thoughts. Can't thank you enough.

Chris

[Aura]

The pleasure is all mine

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I love this piece of writing Chris. It is so emotive and moving in its message. I'm reminded of a shirt that belonged to my father that I sometimes wear, but now treat with reverence. Thank you for your poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Carlos, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Totally understand you wearing your father's shirt on occasions. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris