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

[poetic swan]

What a gentle and moving journey—from grief and memory to quiet hope. The pine cone becoming a forest is such a beautiful metaphor for growth and healing. Truly lovely writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your encouraging visit. Pleased you enjoyed my words and the metaphor here. Have a beautiful week.

Chris

[redd Brick Keshner]

Chris, what a beautifully measured tribute; your poem holds stillness and tenderness like a pine cone holds seeds: compact, layered, quietly alive. 🕊️🙏🏻

[Chris Shaw]

A lovely poetic response Freds. Thank you so very much. Have a beautiful week.

Chris

[redd Brick Keshner]

Most welcome, Chris🙏🏻🕊️
Freds

[Neha agrawal]

This isn’t just a poem; it’s a **seed packet of hope**. It whispers: *What we carry home from the cliffs of sorrow may become forests.*

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Neha, thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your kind thoughts. I appreciate and value your comment. All the best.

Chris

[red93]

I love this Chris, so grounded and practical, but could also serve as an excellent metaphor. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Tony for your kind words. All the best to you.

Chris

[Laz K.]

a wonderful metaphor for life's complexity: we came across curious experiences, objects, events, and people on our path. We might take them home, and they might take root and we might stand in awe at the unintended, but amazing consequences of our actions. The butterfly effect, chaos theory...or a poem like this gives us a glimpse into the mystery called life.

[Chris Shaw]

Your visit and review are very much appreciated Laz. Thank you so much for stopping by. All the best.

Chris

[Lorry]

You would be amazed at how common this is Chris, yet it leaves so little evidence of it behind, which only sounds like I'm contradicting myself even more when I add that I am surrounded by trees, mostly pines and that nature's neatest trick is usually trampled underfoot, damaged by another reason of nature or just doesn't get enough fatlylight to thrive.
Katie calls them baby trees, which is nonsense of course because we all know that broccoli is baby trees and yes, I do pretend I'm a giant when eating it! 😃
Yet getting back to the point and I believe I do have a point (this time) is how wonderfully you weaved this tale from a rock to your mother's passing to nature, into a piece about potential a la the mighty oak.
It gives me ideas of when I used to imagine what I would be when I grew up, but never fear, I'll let you know as soon as I'm properly all growed up! 😃

[Chris Shaw]

Are you growed up yet:) Thanks for making me smile. I am like a kid with these baby pines. Have baby oaks, walnuts and birches, but they are easy. Growing from seed is more challenging. The babies are coming on nicely:) Thanks Lorry.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I take it this is true not fiction it’s a wow factor reaction for me ! How wonderful I loved this one Chris ! Well done 👍

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Julie. Yes, a true account of my gardening efforts. Thirteen pine trees, now three inches tall lol. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Wow incredible x

[Vol]

Chris,
What a stunning collection of perfect images! I have huge pines looming in my back yard, but I have no idea how to collect and plant the seeds!
Vol

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Vol, thanking you for your visit and kind comments. Lucky you having those glorious pines in your back yard. You have to wait for the closed pine cones to open and shake out the seeds, cover them in soil. This happened quite by accident with me. The warmer spring weather helped. My little pine trees are progressing and are now nearly three inches tall lol.

Chris

[Vol]

Chris,
How cool!

[W. Barrett Munn]

This is terrific, Chris. There is definite movement to the poem and enthralling details to clasp on to while you take us on a walk through your life. Well done.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks so much Winston. I appreciate your encouraging words. All the best.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

You are an amazing poet, Chris.

You suck us in with your vivid description. Every word combines with every other to give us clear visions of things you have seen, felt and now relay to your readers.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so generous with your comments j. Thank you so much. Know how appreciated you are.

Chris