Primroses in Chill March

( another one from the Victorian graveyard )

it was ten days later last year
when i walked through these gates
rust laden and creaking
to find the spread of primroses
were past their best blooming
this year i won’t make the same
mistake

here where cracked and fallen
gravestones cover uneven ground
and the distinctive sound of red kites
calling can be heard circling
overhead in grey Sunday sky
far higher than the necks of tall
pine trees half strangled with green
Ivy creeping

roaming nearer to God my searching eye
my feet grounded in this forgotten
graveyard of decades past
where i choose to walk where nature
has reclaimed her inheritance
closer to peace than even in my
courtyard garden

Gaia weaves her calming magic
carpeting the tragic dead
little children at rest
before they barely lived
remembered in her floral reverence
here there and elsewhere scattered
innocent children

Reviews

[Thomas W Case]

Quiet, raw, and reverent—your lines carry the weight of lives remembered without sermon.
Even amidst decay, there’s a pulse of care and fierce, tender witnessing.

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate your thoughts Thomas. Thank you for stopping by.

Chris

[Rosie C]

This takes me back to my childhood a little bit.

Very passionate and heart-warming read.
I admire the detailed description of the surroundings and the characters at play.

Exquisite, charming and relaxing.

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased you found my poem relaxing. It’s where I go for a spot of peace and calm away from the beaten track. Thank you so much Rosie for your kind thoughts.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

Have you tried reading this poem backwards (not word for word backward, but line for line backward)? Did you do that on purpose? It kind of seems like you did that on purpose Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

I did read it backwards, but it doesn’t read as well. I thank you anyway for stopping by.

Chris

[red93]

Fabulous Chris - you have hit a rich vein of form as Spring makes its most welcome return. Exceptional Plus ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

That’s encouraging words from you Tony. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Lighthouse]

Forgotten graveyards are always sad to witness.
Though not always vast from what we can see, in this poem something as small as a kite seems to show more attention to what is, than what was.

From dust we come and from dust we will return no matter the setting.
Writing on grave stones will fade with time as will our presence after we are gone from this earth.

Beautifully rendered poem Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Your comments are very much appreciated Lighthouse. Pleased you liked my poem. It’s a peaceful place to visit, even the red kites that frequent this area now think so too.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Civilization demands its order, but somehow nature moves to provide its own tribute to those who have passed on. Floral reverence can convey peace and rest every bit as effectively as carved stone.

[Chris Shaw]

How right you are John. The flora certainly looks fresher and prettier. Many thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Soren]

Somber, I hear the silence and the mood is set in grey it tells the tale of sadness and mourning but not for the innocent lying asleep but for those left alive to mourn. Their tears water the grass. A most lovely write Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your continued support of my efforts Soren. Very much appreciated.

Chris

[Soren]

You are most welcome Chris

[Neville]

well I'll be damned if this aint the best thing I've come across in what seems like an age .. I can both picture and feel every word .. Neville 💜

[Chris Shaw]

That’s a huge compliment there Neville. Thank you so much. Have s goid day. 💜