Potential

It’s been a while ….

on return from that giddy cliff edge
with its fine views of Thatchers rock
where moody sea surrounds its lonely
unreachable vegetation
where my mother’s ashes
may or may not embrace
where my toes can’t tread

the wet grassy green slopes
presented me with a fine pine cone
stumbled it did upon my walking shoes
to pause me in my tracks
while my mind wandered upwards
and reassuringly skywards

it accompanied me home
two hundred miles across five counties
of traffic jam travel
where forgotten it hid upon
a cramped shelf in the greenhouse
through cold winter days
and colder darker nights

come spring the increase in warmth
allowed the seeds to tumble forth
tiny winged seeds of possibilities
which germinated in smiles
a miniature forest grows in a clay
pot along with the mother cone

a baker’s dozen on show
thirteen petite pine trees
with the potential to grow into
wonderful skyscrapers
how thrilled i am at what may become
my greatest garden achievement

Reviews

[Neville]

Do you know what .. you just made this old fella feel like he was with you all the way .. watching like a fly on the wall .. I know for a fact this was a very personal post but that's how it made me feel .. Some poetry does that to one don't you think our Chris .. Neville 💜

[Chris Shaw]

If you’d have been with me you would have had a very steep climb back up to the car. Thank you for lovely review. My little pine trees are coming on a treat and yes some poems are relatable and have that effect.

Chris 💜

[Lydia Shutter]

And I believe that pine cone was put in your path by your loved ones. You must have a green thumb, Chris. If I had that pine cone, not one of the petite pine trees would appear. A poem that shows you have good memories of your mom. I liked it a lot. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your beautiful thoughts Lydi**. So sorry for this late response. I haven’t been able to access WC for some time. Hope you are keeping happy and well.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

I wish the same for you, Chris. This is the first time I have been able to access WC in weeks.
read moreI wish the same for you, Chris. This is the first time I have been able to access WC in weeks.

[Gray C. Sweet]

I love poems that discuss life and death as somewhat circular, and I think this poem does. From your mother's ashes in the unreachable vegetation below you to the miniature forest surrounding the 'mother cone'. Like the cone stumbling onto your feet (very sweet personification btw) was a way of your mother saying 'Hello, I'm with you.'
Thank you for sharing, great read!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely review. I did indeed feel my mum’s presence and I too thought she had come to say hello. I loved your interpretation of my story here. Have a beautiful day Gray C Sweet. All the best.

Chris

[Buddhistboy73]

Really enjoyed this journey that you took us on here Chris...:)

It reads like a mini-story and is uplifting and peaceful at the same time...

2 hundred miles across 5 counties.....then spring germinated the seed...a garden achievement indeed.

Feel free to stop by and check out one of my poems.
BB73

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much BB73. Pleased you found positivity in my story poem. My little pine trees grown from seed are coming on a treat. Have a great day.

Chris

[alexAlexander]

You are so gracious. Thanks.

[Arundass TP]

Excellent writing friend. Loved it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Arundass. Have a happy Monday.

Chris

[alexAlexander]

Great read. I enjoyed the line, With the potential to grow into wonderful skyscrapers, how thrilled I am at what may become my greatest garden achievement.
And so it is with all potential. What may become?

[Chris Shaw]

Your response is very much appreciated. Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a lovely Monday. read moreYour response is very much appreciated. Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a lovely Monday.

Chris

[alexAlexander]

You are so gracious, thanks.

[redzone]

What a lovely poem, Chris. There is whimsy and joy in the words used to express the wonders of walking through nature and finding the excitement of spreading it beyond where it was first seen. I love gardening, flowers and vegetables, but your story has raised the "Potential" for sprouting some trees. A silly suggestion: perhaps take a photo of these younglings and post it in your photos in your profile??

Anyway, Chris, thank you for sharing this poem, it was a joy to read.

Curt

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your lovely response Curt. I have taken photographs, but my iPhone is not very kind when it comes to uploading to WC. My little pine trees are all doing very well. All are now over six inches tall. lol. Have a great day.

Chris

[emmajoygreen]

See what happens when you rescue a living spirit, no matter its being, shape or source. Wonderful, Chris, truly, truly wonderful.

'on return from that giddy cliff edge
with its fine views of Thatchers rock
where moody sea surrounds its lonely
unreachable vegetation
where my mother’s ashes
may or may not embrace
where my toes can’t tread'

life goes on in the strangest, magical or - spiritual way..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em for sharing your thoughts. Pleased you found value in my words. My little pine trees are growing well. Have a lovely Monday.

Chris

[emmajoygreen]

I've had a super sweet Monday, thank you, Chris. Caro, my much loved niece is visiting and we've talked ourselves almost hoarse! Best tonic is a glass of red wine and two-woman made lasagne, we know from long ago!!! Wishing you a happy, sunny but not too hot, peaceful Tuesday, Chris.
Em

[Einstein Noodle]

what a delightful story, Chris ... collecting pine cones is somewhat irresistable to me .. Norma and I had six or seven that hung around the cabin ... i decided not to pack them for my new home on the prairie ... time to start over .. i especially love the weave of remeniscence of your Ma and scattering her ashes ... the new seeds from the cone when Spring came ... makes me feel .... very pleasant to read this poem
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Mr E. Thank you for sharing precious memories of Norma. I do hope you will be happy in your new prairie home. So pleased you enjoyed this poem. Nature and nurture are both dear to me. Have a lovely Monday. All the best from across the pond.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

[Thomas W Case]

Tremendous. You bring this to life.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Thomas for your kind review. Have a good day.

Chris