Shadow

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

Reviews

[The dark Hydra]

we get it your life sucks, please tell me more..or don't my eyes are bleeding from reading crap all day

[Chris Shaw]

Do me a favour, don’t call again.

[Relic]

Wow! This is so sad. I can feel the horror of it. I had a dog that was hit by a car in front of me when I was little. I can relate. Great emotional piece, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

So sad when we lose our pets. This has stayed with me a long time. That must have been an awful experience for you. Many thanks for stopping by. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[DIVYA]

You have written the grief so powerfully here. The sounds of the burial, the realization of an 8 year old mind come through beautifully. This is such a relatable poem on the death of a much loved pet.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much DIVYA and for relating to my words. The loss of a pet is devastating regardless of age. They are family. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[DIVYA]

Yes, they're family! I love my kitties. I totally get the feeling you shared.

You're most welcome, dear Chris.
Lovely weekend to you too. 🌹

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Chris 🌿

For sharing this … it returned me to my first pet, a sweet little Welsh Corgi stray I named "Lady". We went everywhere together.
A few things this poem proves (besides that you're a brilliant poetess) is how deeply Shadow became a part of a young girl's gentle heart, and of your long ago lasting happy and sad memories … I can still close my eyes and remember Lady as though she were here with me now.

Parts of us never seem to grow-up, and some things we never get over.
Blessings! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Richard, thank you so much for your review of Shadow and for sharing your story about Lady. Yes, those losses are difficult to forget. They pop up every now and again. I am touched by your kindness and pleased you stopped by. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

Chris,
Your words have always inspired mine.
You are more than welcome ⁓ happy days to thee.

[Sami Khalil]

A most touching and sadness-filled poem; you write so effectively to convey the scars and emotions left all these years. Hard for an 8-year-old to fathom the realities of death even to a precious animal. Your poems are always top notch.

[Chris Shaw]

You are spoiling me Sami. Thank you for your kind words on this poem. Pleased you enjoy my poetry. Have a good Wednesday.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

You deserve it. And greatly appreciated.

[Sami Khalil]

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

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

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

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami.

[Lorry]

It's never an easy thing for a kid to go through, is it Chris? I bet when that penny dropped it did feel like you had swallowed a jagged mountain which tore at your heart.
Why do all parents think it best to not tell kids and leave their imaginations run wild into the dread zone?
I mean, I still tell myself my parents sent my goldfish to live on a farm and think about it every time I pass a flooded field.
I mean, it's not like my parents would lie, is it?

[Chris Shaw]

Hi Lorry, yes difficult for kids to deal with the loss of a pet. To be fair to my Dad, he told me the next morning, but I already knew by then. Oh your poor goldfish :) Thanks for stopping by. Happy Wednesday.

Chris

[Dylan Macadham]

Hi Chris, I confess my eyes welled and my spine chilled! An off-the-charts Story-Poem! I winced with every spade strike, imagined my then 8-yr-old daughter trembling in your waking nightmare! Wow!!!

[Chris Shaw]

I’ve never forgotten the scraping sound of the hardened ground as my poor little dog was buried. They told me the following morning he’d died, but I already knew:( Hardpad and distemper. Never had another dog for fifty years. Thanks Dylan for stopping by to read.

Chris

[Dylan Macadham]

Anticipation, satisfaction, feeling, spurs my stoppings-by :)
...Yes, Puppy Memories linger, sad and sweet. You've brought back mine, thanks :)

[Desert Knave]

Wow. This one hits a chord. The first time we lost a pet as a child I simply could not understand for the longest time. ~Jim

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Jim. I appreciate your visit and the thoughts you have shared. All the best.
read moreMany thanks Jim. I appreciate your visit and the thoughts you have shared. All the best.

Chris