Erica

(an out of the blue reunion)

Cardinal Close holds family memories
a flood downstream flowing
navigating that bridge of no return
rivers in time passing

her glance noticed me first
a coffee cup in one hand
a toasted sandwich in the other
same infectious smile same smokey eyes
a little random stray grey
the years have been kind to her

your father and mother will remain
dear to me she said
as she joined us at our table
the busy tea shop buzzing
surrounded by the brightest spring colour
spilling over in red clay pots and fragrant
in fancy planters

Erica who could have become a
sister in law but chose another
my youngest brother broken hearted
suffered so

i want you to know she said
your parents were like my own
when mine broke up yours stepped in
providing strength and love
which helped me grow

both gone now … a tear swelled in her eye

she spied two robins close together
pecking at seed on the flagstones
ah she sighed how lovely is that
the spirit world has paid us a visit
and i smiled too and also felt
their comforting presence

Reviews

[Thomas W Case]

Soft as memory, but it carries that quiet weight of love that never really leaves.
You’ve got something real here—grief and grace sitting at the same table, not saying much, but saying everything.

[Chris Shaw]

Your words here Thomas are truly valued. Thank you so much.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

You had us there with all the past feelings and current feelings swelling like a river about to overflow.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much dear j. It was an outpouring of past and present. She is still a delight.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

A loving and beautifully penned memory poem of more than a specific event. Extraordinary.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Ken for a lovely review. Have a beautiful day.

Chris

[Neville]

I could feel that too, even from here .. what a picture you paint with words our Chris .. deeply personal & such a priceless gift .. Neville 💜

[Chris Shaw]

It was the first time we had seen each other in decades. It rocked the boat of emotions. Thank you Neville. 💜

[Neville]

my absolute pleasure treasure .. 💜

[Chris]

I've had that "feeling' often through the years.

[Chris Shaw]

I get it too at times chris and it brings enormous comfort. A feeling that there is more to come. Thank you so much for stopping by.

Chris

[Soren]

This felt so personal Chris and it holds a sense of that relationship we share with few in a lifetime. Well done

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Soren, it is personal and it was a joyful event with a tinge of sadness and needed to be poemed.

Chris

[Soren]

You are most welcome Chris

[Lorry]

A lovely and unexpected surprise, out of the blue..... Now I know you know me so you'll be completely unsurprised I wondered where the phrase "out of the blue" came from, so I asked my magic phone to tell me, expecting it to refer to a sun escaping from a fluffy cloud on a bright day, but no... it comes from a bolt out of the blue which means a sudden and unexpected lightning strike on a clear blue day. So I said to myself "that cant be right and goggled (not a misspelling, I detest that company) does lightning strike on a clear blue sky day? So long story short, I went from atmospheric pressure to "the all new and improved pressure washer, to adverts for cleaners in my area to where the word area derived from and then to the definition of the word derived... and remember this is the short version so I'll omit the 3 and a half hours scrolling before coming to the conclusion that I don't really care, especially not after contemplating buying a new driveway so I can buy a pressure washer, or get my new maid to do it! And its not even 5am yet! 😃
So in summation, old friends eh? Ach, bless! 😃

[Chris Shaw]

I kept you busy there Lorry. A blessing or a curse ha ha. All that scrolling. I’m feeling guilty. Yes, it was lovely and the love is still there. She was always special. Have a great week and thanks for indulging me 🙂

Chris

[Davidgeo]

Do you have a good speaking voice?

[Chris Shaw]

Anyone can read my stuff better than I can. I just write it. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Michael Sun Bear]

Erica sounds special; I wouldn’t mind spending more time with her. It is sorrowful when we come to know and love a person we want as family but they go a different direction. I love the image of this magnetic woman suddenly encountered, coffee in one hand, a sandwich in the other. I am fixated on those smoky eyes. This is really bittersweet for me. As usual, you have written beautifully. But this conjures for me memories of meeting and joining my only real family then losing them all.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Michael, it was a bittersweet situation. My brother took years to get over her, but the love that she has for my family is still there. Sge is a very special person and our close knit embrace after decades told me so. Really appreciate your comments. Thank you so much. Have a good week.

Chris

[red93]

Really lovely Chris, how you conjure the scene and make it special thru the details. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony. I appreciate your thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris