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Compartment 114
Compartment 114
Scorched Earth  Burned Leaves

Scorched Earth Burned Leaves

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

Written at the beginning of August, but not posted

"
a profusion of leaf fall
drifts to litter scorched earth
while straw grass thirsts

trees in our valley
are fooled by prolonged
summer heat

their foliage in defeat
turns after blistering sunburn
to russet and golds

in survival mode
autumn arrives with blue skies
seemingly unperturbed

the balance
has been disturbed
water runs dry supplies dried out

source of the river
once a trickle of playful stream
disappears from sight

and what of us
are we too parched by drought
longing for refreshing rain

© 2022 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

Dear Chris,

A very special poem to read especially now when we are all wishing spring and summer would hurry up and return.

I especially loved this poem for its fantastic description of the summer heat and its scorching, stunning effect on the leaves. Robbed of all the water, everything feels so parched, so done by the heat. And then the seasons change and we're left longing for warmth and the circle of seasons is complete. How symbolic of the constant flux of life.

I'm so happy to read you today and take in the rich meaning in your words in this multilayered poem.

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

DIVYA

1 Year Ago

It was such a pleasure to read this poem today. Your archives are a treasure! You're most welcome, .. read more
Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

What a lovely thing to say :) Have another one of these 🌺
DIVYA

1 Year Ago

Thanks a lot, my friend.... :)



Reviews

The beauty and the necessity of approaching autumn .... Loved it 😊
... I wrote a new story for the first time , Please read and review so that I can improve .... If you have time ....
Aj

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you Anuska. I will pay you a visit later today. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chr.. read more
Gosh! Chris, it seems so easy. Why can't I do it?

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

You write beautiful poems
My muse writes mine. Thank you Bryan so much. Your thoughts always .. read more
It has been an unusual summer here in Yorkshire too Chris, not enough rain has blighted plants and trees alike . A rowan tree in my back garden has very few berries this year and so the blackbirds will not be happy.
one thing upsets another and so the balance gets thrown out....
Too much rain is forecast for next week lol

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you dear Stella. You are so right. Balance is all important. I have to say my garden is lookin.. read more
This is a beautiful poem with a very deep meaning. There are some lines that I find particularly moving:

"water runs dry supplies dried out" and the final verse: and what of us/are we too parched by drought/longing for refreshing rain."

Thanks for sharing this and for having the courage to pursue something new (I read your 'about' information and have to say that I admire your courage).

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Dear Tamsin, your thoughtful review and visit are much appreciated. Thank you so much. Have a great .. read more
Refreshing rain renews our Spirit as it gives oxygen to our feathered friends… the Rabbits love the Carrots with greens while the Earth smiles and Pansy prays with Buttercup… Amen… 🙏 Gently, Pat


Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Dear Pat, recent rain has refreshed our grass and the flowers are revived. Your poetic review is ver.. read more
a great poem Chris. A metaphoric warning to one and all, nature is growing weary of our sorry excuses. If we won't curb our appetites she will

Ken e

Posted 1 Year Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thanking you Ken. I appreciate your thoughts and I am pleased you enjoyed the read. Have a good week.. read more
Ken e Bujold

1 Year Ago

thanks Chris, plan on having a good 3 weeks, I'm off on a VC
Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

have a great time
I am new to the site, so just jumping around trying different poets. Found this one especially enjoyable as others have noted the ending verse causes reflection on what drought we all may be experiencing, physical, emotional, social, mental etc. Very well said thanks for the posting. Peace to you.

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Pleased to meet you Carl. Thank you so much for your visit and for sharing your insightful thoughts... read more
the last three lines show it all...
the allegorical nature of those lines...parched by lack of love...longing for that refreshing
connection that turns our leaves pretty colors...
j.

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you J and for sharing your thoughts and always supporting my efforts. You are appreciated.
read more
Drought it’s terrible , but now our rain here is back , thankfully
Great poem about it , Chris

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Stuart, so pleased you enjoyed this poem. Many thank yous.

Chris
Stuart Munro

1 Year Ago

Thanks Chris , for sharing
A cautionary tale here. If usually green, cool England is experiencing these things, what can those in hotter climates expect? The balance has indeed been disturbed. Very vivid imagery here shows how climate change is intensifying.

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you John. Yes, just look at Pakistan and the floods this week. The balance is disturbed, well .. read more

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Added on September 1, 2022
Last Updated on September 1, 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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