Time To Say Goodbye

(funerals)

said goodbye to Molly
named Helen at birth by
her parents

a work colleague from old
twenty years plus five
of letters and Christmas
cards

same age as mum
lost earlier this year
same war time resilience
a get on with it
attitude

oh the winter blues
have dug in deep
and there’s not a twitch
of movement on
our silver birch

my sentinel is sleeping
not weeping
spring is around
the corner
believe it

Reviews

[Dennis Wolf]

It is beautiful.
Simply because we all know that life is... Not as long as you'd like it to be once you get to a certain point...

And for some, even they know that every minute more is almost a miracle, but they don't think 'oh poor poor me' instead they continue to dedicate that time to living with full lungs, and they keep those important to them as important as they were.

If anything, then that is the mark of strength and character.
'get on with it' attitude, yes, when you realize that crying over it is not going to help either, you can only move forward even if it's just one clumsy stumble at a time.

I enjoyed reading this one, because it's honest, real and relatable.

[Chris Shaw]

I am touched by your very thoughtful review of this poem. Thank you so much Dennis.

Chris

[Dennis Wolf]

You're welcome. :)
I needed a decent read this morning to get up and start the day.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you found one worthy of your time. That has put a smile on my face :)

[Dennis Wolf]

Well, then it was all worth it.

[Soren]

A nice eulogy. People like seasons move on. I loved your line "my sentinel is sleeping not weeping" "Spring is around the corner" A wonderful hope to believe in.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Soren. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Best wishes.

Chris

[red93]

Yes Chris and the Solstice is close now, and you will feel the Returning Energy Surge as soon as it comes 👍👍👍👍👍

[Chris Shaw]

I hope so Tony. My energy levels are depleted and I badly need some natural light. Thank you my friend.

Chris

[Neville]

you have the uncanny knack of being able to send a shiver up & down this old spine of mine .. a ragged & real poem if ever there was & a moving tribute to a very real & important person now passed .. RIP Molly the long shift is now over.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Hello dear Neville. Uncanny eh? I hope that doesn’t cause you too much discomfort with those shivers. I’d rather send some warmth in this cold :)I thank you for calling on my tribute to Molly. Like my mum, she was pretty awesome. That generation had backbone. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Weeping willow]

Beautifully expressed words ;-}

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Weeping willow for stopping by. My best wishes to you and yours.

Chris

[DIVYA]

A worthy tribute to a friend. Reading of her resilience and her sterling attitude towards life, I'd say she fought the good fight and ran the race to her very best and now deserves the spring of peace in heaven. So beautifully penned, dear Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear DIVYA. I held her in high esteem. Your thoughts here are so very much appreciated. read moreThank you dear DIVYA. I held her in high esteem. Your thoughts here are so very much appreciated.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I really like the "war time resilience/and get on with it/ attitude"---
she earned it.
this could be titled "a friend's lament in springtime" after a William Carlos Williams piece.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear J, thank you for the title suggestion. I appreciate you dear friend.

Chris

[willweb]

Ok, now I understand the feelings in the previous poem. I love how this one ends because spring is right around the corner. Another wonderful poetic offering my friend. I hope sunny days find you smiling Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks will. Yes a bit of a downer at the moment. The losses are coming home to roost. I appreciate all your encouragement. Have a good Saturday.

Chris