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

[Ayesha Faiz]

I really like this one. It feels personal and peaceful. I love how it starts with a place full of memories and then slowly turns into this hopeful little story about a pine cone bringing new life. It’s simple but emotional, and it makes me smile thinking about those tiny trees growing into something huge one day. Nicely done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ayesha. My miniature forest is growing nicely. Each little pine tree is now six inches tall. Lots of room for growth:). I appreciate your visit and thiughts. Happy Sunday.

Chris

[Ayesha Faiz]

That's lovely to hear! Just make sure to take good care of them...
Wish you a very happy and blessed Sunday as well dear friend.
:)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you and you enjoy the day too:)

[Soren]

Although a wonderfully worded story its metaphor reaches out to me saying that we have the power to change life and transport it within ourselves. A lovely write Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you enjoyed this poem Soren. I appreciate and value your thoughts. Many thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Soren]

You are welcome Chris

[hiren]

Hi Chris,
You are free to delete all my reviews. I don't you need to feel sad either...

[Chris Shaw]

Happy to receive reviews about the poem I posted. Not about gossip or anything else. I’ve left the door open. Up to you.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

a lovely scene of finding something innocuous and carrying it for mile, then stumbling upon it, placing it in the earth and to your surprise nature took is course and revealed a beautiful display of garden pine trees
your words dear Chris are a perfect choice for this unforgettable venture
and sweet memories as well……Bravo!
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Betty, thank you for your kind words. Pleased you enjoyed my poem. Have a beautiful day dear friend.

Chris 🌹

[Betty Hermelee]

A pleasure always Chris...have a nice weekend!!
Warmly, B

[Michael Sun Bear]

Good morning Chris, You so strongly paint imagery in your poetry whether it be in your own home or five counties away. I have only ever brought in leaves; on my next trip to the mountains I will now collect pine cones to bring home, see what happens. I am giving you a high five for your greatest gardening achievement. MSB

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Michael. Your kind words are so very much appreciated. Leaves die but pine cones might just have seeds and new life in them. Look after yourself my poetry friend and a big thank you for stopping by.

Chris

[DIVYA]

"while my mind wandered upwards
and reassuringly skywards"

~ A message of love and hope from the beyond? It certainly felt like that to me. It accompanied you home, that pine cone and now you have such a beautiful bounty! I believe in magic and Its joys such as these that instill life into the moments we breathe. The reassurance and warmth felt in this poem just lifted my day but then you, dear Chris, were always the poet who breathed a soul into things of nature.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Divya, your kind words bring so much positivity. I do like to think that the pine cone rolling to meet my feet had something magical to do with my mum. Well, it keeps me smiling and happy. Thank you so much for your uplifting words. Have a beautiful weekend.

Chris

[DIVYA]

You're most welcome, my friend. I hope you're having a wonderful week.

[DIVYA]

You're most welcome, my friend. I hope you're having a wonderful week.

[Relic]

That's good Chris. The only pine cone I know that's travelled the highways. :)

I brought home a rock from another far off state one time. It didn't do much. Oh well.

[Chris Shaw]

Hi Tim. Lovely to have a visit from you and thanks for bringing a smile with you too. Hope all is well with you in our mad world.

Chris

[FlatDaddy]

Ah, Chris, you paint such lovely, soft pictures with your amazing words, like
"tiny winged seeds of possibilities
"which germinated in smiles"
You know, of course, that your mother sent that cone to you,
and watches your garden grow.
Very nice.

FD

[Chris Shaw]

Ah yes FD, I like to think that my mother was right there with me and she was responsible for that pine cone rolling to meet my feet. Thank you for your lovely review. Happy Independence day from across the pond in the UK.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Hi FD, thank you so much. I very much want to believe that pine cone had something to do with my mum. So appreciate your lovely comment. Have a great day.

Chris

[FlatDaddy]

Thank you, Chris. Peace be with you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thought I’d lost that first response in the ether. The site has been playing up. You got two for the price of one:)

[FlatDaddy]

So I saw. And I was here last night when it got hit with a blizzard of blckouts. The site kept going down, then up and so on for what, I think, was hours. I sure hope it's fixed.

[Chris Shaw]

It’s still very iffy. Hit and miss:)

[FlatDaddy]

Let's hope it doesn't celebrate the 4th with a big bang.

[Desert Knave]

Love it. I am a lousy planter, but a couple years ago managed to get an arrowhead plant clipping to take and it has been a joy to watch grow. Methinks I need to plant a tree or three. ~Jim

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Jim. Well done you with the arrowhead plant. I am propagating plenty this year and feeling productive. Gives me satisfaction. Yes, trees next. Have a go. My little pine trees are now three inches in height and bushing out:)

Chris