Shadow

A Poem by Chris Shaw

Amazing what gets dredged up in the memories. The pup’s name was shadow

outside the drawn floral curtains
in the scary dark night
a door closed

over and over
muffled whispers
of dad’s voice talking to
uncle phil

followed by sounds of
spades digging
in ground hardened by frost
striking on flint
grating on my mind
over and over

sharp stones in an untamed
garden in the cold of
winter

the dog had been sick
our fluffy black and white pup
my ears strained
what were they doing

and then
the penny registered
in my eight year old brain
dropping like a dead weight
hurting my heart

with horror
i listened to that scraping
and bedding down of soil
when i was unable to
shed a single tear

hiding
under the counterpane
trembling
like a small leaf buried
under a mountain of sadness

© 2025 Chris Shaw

My Review

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Reviews

Soren

Chris this poem carries a building sense of trepidation, fear, curiosity to sadness and the pain of loss. A poem to me is a work that conveys feeling and this one does very much so. A most lovely write.

Posted 3 Months Ago

3 Months Ago

Thank you Soren for sharing your valued thoughts. A sad time for a small child, the loss of a loved .. read more

3 Months Ago

Indeed it is and you are most welcome Chris

Neha agrawal

You’ve captured a moment that feels unbearably real and that’s powerful.

Posted 5 Months Ago

5 Months Ago

Many thanks Neha, you are so right. A moment never forgotten by the inner child. Thank you so much a.. read more

Kelly Scheppers

The loss of a pet (to a child) can be most devastating, as it is their first encounter with death. That being said, I'm not so sure it is any easier for us adults. They stopped being "just pets" and became family members somewhere along the line. They have purpose in our lives, and a house is not a home, without them. A most beautiful pen, Chris. It is a eulogy to all of us who have loved and lost our four legged friends!

Posted 6 Months Ago

5 Months Ago

Hello dear Kelly. Lovely to find your words here. You are so right, our pets are family and it is al.. read more

Carina Baumert

You have a true talent for rendering dark, unspeakable things into something beautiful. I like this kind of poetry. Great work!

Posted 6 Months Ago

6 Months Ago

Thank you Carina for your thoughts. Very much appreciated. All good wishes. Pleased you are enjoying.. read more

Victor D. Lopez

Chris, you have a truly remarkable ability to elicit strong emotions from your wonderfully descriptive poems. I am definitely a fan. I've been away from this site for some time as life just gets in the way. Even suspecting what was coming in this poem with the untimely scraping of spade on frost-hardened ground, I still felt the pain of a young girl's sorrow, the intrusion of a harsh reality into the blissful innocence of youth. There is painful poignancy and pathos, especially in the following stanzas:

and then
the penny registered
in my eight year old brain
dropping like a dead weight
hurting my heart

with horror
i listened to that scraping
and bedding down of soil
when i was unable to
shed a single tear

hiding
under the counterpane
trembling
like a small leaf buried
under a mountain of sadness

Really powerful. I missed reading your work!

Posted 8 Months Ago

8 Months Ago

Dear Victor, I was thrilled to receive your comprehensive review, so pleased to hear that you enjoy .. read more

8 Months Ago

It is always a pleasure to read your work.

W. Barrett Munn

The emotion is wrung from your words and forces us to experience the emptiness of that haunting experience.
Really well done.

Posted 9 Months Ago

8 Months Ago

Thank you Winston. Apologies for my late response. All good wishes.

Chris

MrBlack202

The poem shows a child's experience of death, and her innocents know nothing. Lossing a pet is a painful experience.

Posted 9 Months Ago

9 Months Ago

You are so right. I never forgot the pain of losing that puppy. All good wishes and thank you for st.. read more

Michael Sun Bear

Ah Chris, the poem is beautifully written and I feel such sorrow for your loss. Your words did not exactly drop like a dead weight but they certainly hurt my heart. I know all too well the pain of losing a childhood pet, a pet at any age for that matter. I have found the pain will not leave, even when offered in words to others.

Posted 10 Months Ago

10 Months Ago

Thank you again Michael, for another visit. Yes the pain of losing a pet lingers a long time. Didn�.. read more

Fabian G. Franklin

This is a brilliant write and it was immensely moving. Great poetry and it was my great pleasure to read it. Highest rating I can offer other than my personal praise. F.

Posted 10 Months Ago

10 Months Ago

Thank you Fabian for your encouragement. Very much appreciated. Never forgotten that little pup. Did.. read more

Thomas W Case

Powerful. Such sadness. You covey it well.

Posted 10 Months Ago

10 Months Ago

Many thanks Thomas. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris

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26 Reviews

Added on February 17, 2025
Last Updated on February 17, 2025

Author

Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom

About

Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..