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

[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

[W. Barrett Munn]

“grief on the back of memories” is great phrasing. Nice work.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Winston. Know you are appreciated. Have a great day.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Hi you should do a book
Definitely
Great write ✍️

[Chris Shaw]

Julie, thank you for your support. Pleased you stopped by. Have a great day.

Chris

[red93]

Excellent Work again Chris - and this of course is why you need a Book ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony for all your encouragement. You are very much appreciated. Have a good Saturday.
read moreThank you Tony for all your encouragement. You are very much appreciated. Have a good Saturday.

Chris

[Lorry]

Your poetry, sitting beside a favourite framed picture of you, to be smiled at when family catch sight of you and smile is all the memory you need.
Oh and a nice vase full of freshly cut favourite flowers too.
They'll have more than memories with your writing. To be read and pondered of again, learning more each time.
I'd like my favourites to be laminated and left on buses and park benches. But only the sillies that make smiles 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Lorry. I especially liked the flowers. The smile was even better. Have a good Saturday.
read moreThanks Lorry. I especially liked the flowers. The smile was even better. Have a good Saturday.

Chris

[DIVYA]

Dear Chris,

This poem is so beautiful in its touch and so moving. We all will be in someone's treasured chest of memories, some day, our most prized possessions, our legacy to them. But here's wishing you a very happy and healthy long long life. A hundred years and maybe more and we'll think about it later.

I loved this poem and it's message. Your muse is in such beautiful form. ❤

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Divya, your review warms me. Thank you so much for your kindness and support. Have a good Saturday. 🌺

Chris

[DIVYA]

You're so welcome!
too, dear Chris. Wishing you a great Saturday. 🙋‍♀️⚘