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

[Ruby Heggie (PB Jacobs)]

I used to have a little puss n boots treasure chest I bought from a hobby store. I really liked it, as I was into it. I can kind of relate to your content. Yup. I only dug in my treasure chest once in a blue moon. It's amazing how much stuff people stash.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for stopping by to leave your thoughts. Very much appreciated.

Chris

[Neville]

it hardly bares thinking about does it, yet we have to think about such eventualities don't we .. I guess its to do with preparedness and the need for it .. well that, and the increasing frequency of insights into and an awareness of our own mortality .. you made me think its perhaps time to go check in the trunk and take a peek at my will and perhaps make a few amendments .. having said all that, your poem was not at all morbid and left me feeling a sense of hopefulness and with some purpose for when after the day comes ..

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Neville. After sorting out both my mum and aunt’s possessions over the last year and deciding what to keep, my thoughts turned to my own possessions. I pondered on what my grandkids would want to hold on to of mine. Pleased you didn’t find the poem morbid because it wasn’t meant to be:)

Chris

[Neville]

I kinda guessed as much :)

[andrew mitchell]

It’s a great afterthought and with your work, will probably happen Chris. Where there is a Will, there is a way!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew. I appreciate both your thoughts and visit.

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

Sometimes the lid only seals the top but if it weren't a glass jar but a chest of wood or so then there could be other ways of rolling onto shore... say like poetry. But that is just me rambling. Thanks for sharing another awesome read.
Freds.

[Chris Shaw]

I like the idea of poetry rolling on after we are gone. Thanks Freds for stopping by to review. All the best.

Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes as I reflect on the things I've treasured I wonder what of mine my family will cling too.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Cherrie. Have been sorting out both my mother’s and aunt’s possessions over recent months. That’s where the muse sent me. Have a lovely day.

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

[Coyote Poetry]

I have loved books since I was seven years old. I keep everything. You are welcome Chris.

[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

[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 😊.