Brewing

(creeping change)

be still the waters of my heart be still
for all the waves that frolicked in my youth
and danced upon the mighty open sea
for all the crested breakers that gave chase
the thunder of the endless ebb and flow
stay calm and set my restless spirit free
-
let not a ripple on the surface play
let not the night give way to dawn’s first light
the ivy strangles now the upright tree
the tides have turned the future far from bright
sweet freedom how I loved your fresh air
tune
now coffined on the dark side of the moon

Reviews

[Victor D. Lopez]

This poem strikes a responsive chord in the bittersweet memories of youth with its vibrant freedom and innocence juxtaposed against the constraints of adulthood. Love the metaphor of ivy strangling the upright tree for the constraints life places on us as we age. It reminds me of William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. Really well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Such a lovely review and I am so pleased to be mentioned with William Blake in mind. I am familiar with some of his poetry. Thank you Victor.

Chris

[Pete]

so skillfully and poignantly penned. things do have a way of creeping up on us. as my muse thoreau said, "Things do not change; we change." is futile to try and hold onto youth but we can hold onto the youthful spirit and bring it with us into tomorrow. thoreau also wrote, "Don't look back unless you are planning to go that way." made me think of pink floyd's dark side of the moon. growing old ain't for sissies ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pete for your thoughtful review. Always pleased to have a visit from you.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

This poem had many sad realization of times past vs the present; many changes affected the poet's hindsight. We all wish we could have done things differently, but I'm afraid rewinds are gone. We can change the now to change the future.
I felt this poem dear Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Sami for sharing your thoughts which I found interesting. So pleased you stopped by today dear friend. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Wowzy woooo. You are welcome dear Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Your wowzy woooo put a smile on my face :)

[Sami Khalil]

Hehehe.........

[Miss Sharon]

Breathtakingly beautiful! ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Sharon for your beautiful review. Hope you are keeping well.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

A frolicking youth, where you could dance upon the sea, the flutters in your little heart….the fresh air of the sea, and all the senses awakening, the ebb and tide of the moon…the freedom enjoyed….now unfortunately those day have faded… and we are all on the dark side of life… the moon is hiding….
Excellent melancholic writing
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Betty thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on my poem. Your review very much welcome. read moreDear Betty thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on my poem. Your review very much welcome.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome dear Chris
Warmly, B

[Arundass TP]

Beautiful poem. Enjoyed reading 👍

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Arundass. I appreciate you. Enjoy the rest of the day.

Chris

[keith]

bad moon rising
thank you

[Chris Shaw]

Ah Credence Clearwater Revival. How I loved that group. Bad moon rising, I certainly have fears for the future Keith. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[keith]

hello friend
not sure which is larger ... the fan or the crap! HA!
i have my doubts i have my hopes
busy preparing to get further off grid ... house goes on market june 1
simplify/downsize ... kinda sorta
less house more land ... shop will be larger than house (only taking 1 backpack 1 tent and ALL my tools!)
will be spending my remaining time watching the sun rise over the pacific while having a cup or two of kona koffee and building another self built shelter

i've had a grand adventure on the mainland but it's time to return to the jungle!
peace/aloha

[keith]

leon russell sang 'back to the island'
https://youtu.be/AD8b_oJVHQM?t=14

[Chris Shaw]

My oh my, you are about to have another adventure. Sounds amazing. Watching the sun rise over the pacific while drinking Kona koffee, fabulous. Thanks for the link to the music. Will play later. Good to hear from you Keith. Keep in touch. Hope your sake goes through ok.

[John the Baptist]

Change, unfortunately, is not sentimental. The exuberance of the first stanza could not be maintained at that pace, and gradually things assumed the state of affairs of stanza two. It is best not to resist emotionally this pattern, though. Unfettered by comparisons, the later years have their rewards, too.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. Of course we can’t stop change, but I certainly don’t like the direction our planet is traveling in. The horizon diesb’t look peaceful at all.

Chris

[NormaZ]

Loved your images Chris, and your use of the words, frolicked, danced, crested, and then strangles, coffined, it really creates the mood and image of something lost. Great work, as always!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Norma for stopping by with such encouragement. I appreciate you.

Chris

[Vol]

Chris,
OH MY!!! It is funny how many poems I've read on here today with the same subject, including mine from yesterday. But what a beautiful look back and sweet moan you have captured here! Having grown up on the beach in Florida, I frolicked waves, now I'm old and worry I'll drown the next time I go body surfing. (Not a bad way to go, I think.) The tide has turned. Love this diamond of a poem!
Vol

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Vol, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for the encouragement. I appreciate your words and your visit.

Chris