Remains

several weeks have passed
since my soles last walked on moss clad
paths of this old graveyard
littered with pine cones
fallen from neck stretching conifers
yet so strangely alive with
silent ghosts of the once
living

grass grows shoulder high
hides broken headstones
with bleached sun dried presence
oppressive in july heat
smoulders in late afternoon

the inevitable creeping
of nature
as she reclaims what was
once hers

all that remains
of that red kite downed in flight
are feathers strewn
across the dirt floor
a testament to former glory
and freedom of the open skies

all living things pass
in time we are a mote of dust
a pin prick in an ocean sky
soon to be forgotten
soon to be replaced
eventually
erased without trace

Reviews

[Neville]

this is outstandingly good & exceptionally poignant .. deeply reflective and compelling .. I would also go as far as to suggest that although many wont realise it yet .. these words might one day prove enlightening 💜

[Chris Shaw]

High praise Neville. Pleased that you found so much of value in this write. Thank you so much and have a beautiful Friday.

Chris

[Neville]

worth every penny Chris & back at you .. Neville

[RomaJ]

Such a hauntingly beautiful meditation on impermanence. The graveyard and fallen kite mirror each other so perfectly -- both reminders of how nature reclaims, and how fleeting our traces really are.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks RomaJ. Fleeting we all are in the overall picture. I appreciate your thoughts, they are valued. Have a good day.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

A somber meditation here, Chris, but an accurate one. All things in the physical universe are bound by time and change. That is why it is so essential to develop a spiritual life. Consciousness is a form of energy, which may change, but is never destroyed.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much John. I certainly have a spiritual side, though not a fan of organized religion. This old graveyard is peaceful. I like that. Nice to spend a littje time there.

Chris

[Mysilentembrace]

This depiction of a graveyard being taken over and forgotten and that painting that in time we to shall pass and be lost with time, ugh I loved that. I especially enjoyed these lines
"all living things pass
in time we are a mote of dust
a pin prick in an ocean sky
soon to be forgotten "

There was so much power in those words but your way of showing the little significance we may have and how easy it is to be forgotten and the earth takes over and life moves on. What a great reflection on life and death.

[Chris Shaw]

Your beautiful review is much appreciated. Sorry for tardy response. Access to WC has been really problematic for weeks. All the very best.

Chris

[Weeping willow]

Nicely spoken words about losing ones memory as the years pass by. Living one slowly gone into a dream world of forgotten time. Hard on ones family as they drift away a little at a time ;-]

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Willow. Sorry for late response. Have been unable to access WC for a while. All good wishes.

Chris

[Weeping willow]

I understand as I have not been able to post any poems for a while. What's going on with this site ??

[Soren]

Oh how often these thoughts pass through the mind. This poem captures the feelings of decay and loss not only in the physical but the memory of. It feels like virtual dementia in metaphor. And yet I can not help but feel that even though our memory will one day be forgotten and any memory of us those effects like a pool ball hitting others will carry on in continual repercussions, influencing the lives of others in an unknown way The feeling of melancholy that accompanies this write changes to one of hope. A lovely write Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts Soren. Pleased that some hope filtered through the melancholy. Have a wonderful Monday.

Chris

[Soren]

You are most welcome

[LynGeist]

I love your imagery. It's perfect.

"since my soles last walked on moss clad
paths of this old graveyard
littered with pine cones
fallen from neck stretching conifers"

I see this. In my vision it's a cloudy, near-winter day.

I don't want to be erased without a trace. Every now and again I try to think of something remarkable I could contribute to the world that would live on in my absence. I haven't come up with anything just yet. But there's still time. I hope.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Lyn. Your comments are truly valued. I think most of us would like to be remembered, but the chances of it being for something remarkable aren’t probably great. I hope you find something. Have a beautiful day.

Chris

[Pallavi]

This hits deep!
Eventually erased without trace.

Brilliant!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pallavi for your visit and your friend request. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Thomas W Case]

Brilliant work. You take the reader right into the scene and make them see it and feel it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Thomas. All good wishes winging their way across the pond.

Chris

[JMichael]

I have always found it sad that many cemeteries or graveyards are often left in various states of disrepair, despite there being so called groundskeeper’s to tend to them. Like the people who now reside there in their eternal slumber no longer matter.

In this absence of care, nature just stakes her rightful claim and perhaps in some ways beautifies their memories better than we humans can ever do. They’re never forgotten in the place that really matters, to those who loved them, and that is something that nature can never impose itself upon.

Lovely rendered words.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your visit and for sharing your thoughts. Your words are greatly appreciated.

Chris