Survivor’s Guilt

In memory of Jen, Nicky and Sally, casualties of breast cancer

red roses trellised to the fence
sweet scented perfume every one
yet even when those petals fall
so blessed by rays from golden sun

this Dublin rose that cascades free
brings poignant memories to my day
of flowers taken far too soon
whose life force sadly ebbed away

the dew which floods my eyes this morn
to trickle down on saddened cheek
forgive my tears but hear my voice
permission please for me to speak

i do not know why i survived
while you my friends were doomed to die
and with the passing of the years
still comes at times a muffled cry

so missed you are my lovely chums
we weathered laughter love and pain
and with it comes a hopeful wish
one day we’ll chance to do the same

Reviews

[red93]

Marvellous Work Chris. One of our Friends in Montreal Canada is currently having treatment for Breast Cancer. You handle this difficult and very relevant subject with your usual consummate skill. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Tony and all good wishes to your friend who is currently going through this difficult journey. Always thankful for your support and encouragement of my efforts. All the best.

Chris

[red93]

✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[John Sullivan]

This is heartbreaking, Chris. We've lost a few to cancer too... Trite, maybe, but I do believe there's something after all this mess, the soul lives on in some fashion... Life is far too complicated, messy, and oftentimes beautiful for our physical passing to be the end. I really believe that.

"forgive my tears but hear my voice
permission please for me to speak..."

Hugs from a somewhat stranger. Cheers.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello stranger, such a lovely surprise to have a visit from you. Like you, I hope very much there is something else which follows on. I hope all is good in your world and life is being kind to you. It’s been a while but I am delighted you are back on WC. All good wishes from across the pond and big thank yous for your encouragement John.

Chris

[John Sullivan]

Ms. Shaw, may I say it's a pleasure to remake your acquaintance! It's lovely to be back, a bit like coming home again.

Cheers from the Colonies... though if you guys wanna take some of us back, well, the way things are going over here...

[John the Baptist]

A very well rhymed poem about the strange phenomenon called survivor's guilt. It comes across as a feeling of not deserving good fortune. We cannot know the thoughts of the departed, but I imagine, especially if the relationships were positive ones, that they would be congratulatory and wishing only the best.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. We all went on the same journey at different times. I was lucky to come out safely at the other end. I only wish my friends had been that fortunate too. All good wishes.

Chris

[Vol]

Chris.
This is honey made of words! I was remembering my 30th class reunion and a table with pictures of the eight or ten who had not made it to 1997. At my 45th, the table was full, and now, mom having only passed away this lst Monday, I realize that she was the only remaining adult in all my extended family, We remaining did not suffer The Great depression, or WWII, so we will never have the strength to leave such a great legacy...
Thanks, m'lady for such a fine telling...
Vol

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Vol, my sincere condolences on the passing of your mom. Look after yourself while you grieve. Thank you so much for your share and your encouragement on this piece about dear friends lost too soon to breast cancer. All the best to you over the pond.

Chris

[Vol]

Sweetheart... Thank you!... here's the thing most folks don't get...I am a true Christian... Death has no sting, My brothers and sons celebrate a life lived right, and rejoice because her suffering is over! No grief here, she was 96, mostly blind and mostly deaf... but dearly loved.
Vol

[Chris Shaw]

Now that is the way to go out, dearly loved after a long life and no more suffering. A celebration of her wonderful life.

[Vol]

'Tis indeed m'lady, 'tis indeed...

[Neha agrawal]

There is something so human about holding space for both grief and gratitude, loss and longing. It's beautiful, but in that sorrowful, sacred kind of way. The form feels like a quiet prayer unpunctuated, flowing, like it is being held on a breath. I think that choice works, actually. It emulates the way emotion washes over you when you are remembering someone, in waves, without pause.
Amazing work😊

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Neha. Your response is so thoughtful and I’m pleased you felt the form appropriate for this piece. All good wishes and I appreciate your encouragement.

Chris

[DIVYA]

Dear Chris,
I read this poem with much emotion as I remember my own lost ones and the beautiful roses they've come to be in my heart.
Each beautifully crafted verse of this poem tells of your love and profound sense if loss for your friends and the vacuum they've left behind.
Indeed, we have no answers on why some beautiful people are taken too soon. We can only hold on to the love they left behind. The concluding lines were full of hope and faith and I loved them because I too forever hope of seeing my lost roses again.
Sending a big hug to you! ❤️

[Chris Shaw]

So right dear Divya, there are no answers, but the memories of my beautiful friends stay with me. Thank you so much for your lovely response, so very much appreciated my friend.

Chris 🌹

[DIVYA]

You're always welcome, dear Chris. I'm always grateful for the takeaways from your inspiring poetry! 💕

[butterfly]

Aww, this is a beautiful poem Chris. It describes well the beauty of sadness. I have lost many family and friends to cancer and other horrible diseases. We may not know why we survive and the others die but I know with the memories we can still make beautiful poetry in this life. Thanks for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear butterfly your visit and thoughtful response is very much appreciated. Thank you so much. All good wishes.

Chris

[Lorry]

No rhgyme or reason to the why Chris, just memories of those now gone that will last as long as you do and all the others that knew them.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lorry. Yes, lovely memories. Thankful I had such wonderful friends. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[Lorry]

Wet n soggy, buy all good thanks.