Keep A Lid On It

one day I too
may be confined in
this oak wood chest of
ancestral treasure

where the sepia
rests with dust motes
and old letters reveal
at times what we prefer
to conceal

i ponder on
items you may keep
of mine worth the
saving

perhaps the court orders
stamped and sealed
promises of a path ahead
for a settled future
for three entrusted
to our care

or maybe a collection
of my better poems will
find their way in notebooks
thumbed and dog eared
for perusal

though i sincerely hope
you do not feel that grief
that family ghosts bestow
on me when I open
the lid on yesterdays

to ride the waves
of loss rolling in to shore
on the back of memories

Reviews

[Vol]

Chris,
I love the formula where a collection of bright, shiny images such as this, moving from a dusty chest to poignant reminders of loss and even grief are tied up with a tight bow of meaning... I have ridden waves, belly down, in a thirty yard churn to the shore, in the ocean and in my heart when I am reminded of lost lovers, family and friends.
Thanks for a good read on this Sunday morning.
Vol

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Vol, so pleased you shared your thoughts on my poem and that you can relate. A first visit from you, so I thank you for stopping by and leaving a positive review. All the best.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I wonder the same dear Chris.
"or maybe a collection
of my better poems will
find their way in notebooks
thumbed and dog eared
for perusal"
I have a thousand books and many ancient items. I wonder after I leave this world. If they can have any meaning to anyone. Amazing words and thoughts shared.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear friend. I hope that some of what we leave behind will be of value to others. 1000 books is a library. That is alot of reading.

Chris

[Tom]

When once asked how he would like to be remembered, that lovable rogue, alcoholic ladies man and genius soccer player candidly replied' " Forget all the bad stuff, just remember the football and all those many goals "..

I believe he had a point just as your fine, emotive poem suggests too!

[Chris Shaw]

That’s got to be George Best you are talking about here. Was it him who said he spent his money on wine, women and song and squandered all the rest? :)) Thank you Tom and for reminding me of a legend. He did it his way.

Chris

[Tom]

Yep, the one & only Geogie Best, and didn't he just ( his way )

[Soren]

I always found it interesting that people are buried in wooden boxes the same as cedar chests that they keep their memories in. Do we not indeed keep our memories in the coffins of our ancestors and do they with time not mold and deteriorate the same? Those markers we place to keep such memories, some cherished some not, also with time erode. A wonderful write.

[Chris Shaw]

Really liked your thoughts here Soren. Thank you so much for stopping by to share.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

When we sense mortality is near, it gives us urgencies to leave things ever after; we regret many and smile on some. A life filled with noble acts and satisfactions is paramount. How we impacted lives speaks volumes by others. Let the ego out, bring in the amigo.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Sami, I have been sorting out my late mother’s possessions and also my aunt’s. That has been making my mind wander:) Really appreciate you stopping by to share your thoughts. All the best.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

I can imagine. Lots of discoveries, I hope. You are welcome 😊.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

A beautiful thought provoking poem. What do we wish to leave behind when we are gone? To those that love us? Something of hope and progression, to be better and inspire the same. To those that know us a smile we will bring. To sum up a single life lived is impossible for all us poets, but we try. For in the dust of our bones will come a sturdy earth where the path forward for those lost will be found. Love truly is all you need. CLE

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Carlos for sharing your thoughts. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All good wishes.

Chris

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I love how fine the thoughts and words fall into place when we reflect on our lives and what we will leave behind. This is so beautifully written, rife with beauty, hope, and sadness. Well penned.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Linda for your supportive words. Know you are appreciated.

Chris

[keith]

no questions ... just do it!

[Chris Shaw]

Hello warrior Keith. Thanks for that supportive message. Hope all is good with you in your world. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[keith]

keith
[delete] [report reply]5 Seconds Ago
this pressure we put upon ourselves to leave a legacy is not always a productive path
one way or another we will leave a legacy
collect your collection, for yourself
collect your collection for yourself and it will carry over
not everything needs be a trumpet blowing moment
it will be found it will be cherished it will be saved for future members of your clan
or ...
it could end up in the dumpster with the rest of our rubbish
we are mere mortals ... history is charged with memory
just do it for yourself and reap the harvest of personal satisfaction of accomplishment eh?

a favorite read of mine ...
'friends romans countrymen
lend me your ears
i come to bury caesar not to praise him
the evil that men do lives after them
the good is oft interred with their bones'

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh, I wish you would do a book of poems...then there would definitely be a treasure left.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

You say such nice things J. I’ll get there my dear friend.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

This one resonated with me because my wife and I are in the process of drawing up new wills and thus wondering what we will leave behind. I too wonder if anyone will value my poems after I'm gone. No way to tell, so I just write for the present and let the chips fall where they may.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased to hear this poem resonated with you John. Thank you and all the best.

Chris