Touched: A poem by pete marshall

Touched

by pete marshall

Touched by a walk through the bustling streets

lights that shine bright on the joys that we seek

laughter rings loud from the young & naive

yet darkness draws near on a cold Winters Eve

Touched by the wealth of those who walk free

unshackled by debt and goodwill to all thee

credit secured that brings forth some reprieve

yet darkness draws near on a cold Winters Eve

Touched by the brush of two lovers who speak

embracing in shadows in bars where they meet

dreams laced with passion as partners deceive

yet darkness draws near on a cold Winters Eve

Touched by the warmth of food that came forth

by fires that kindled and glowed in the hearth

of songs of our Lord and gifts we receive

yet darkness came home on a cold Christmas Eve

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This year has had more downs than ups, and some of you know what the last few weeks have brought to the Marshall house, and, as optimistic as I try to remain, Saturday I went to town and just came straight back home!!!

Its hard being cheery all the time and at Christmas this is emphasized more. I felt low but so do so many others and whilst I had my reasons I was able to come home, talk to my wife, embrace my children and was back on track again, but for so many others this is not possible and with that in mind I dedicate this poem to those souls that are lost & lonely.

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Today I also share this poem with dverse, especially my old friends from One Stop Poetry days, brian miller, claudia schonfeld, gay reiser-cannon who along with my brother, adam dustus and a very special friend in shan ellis, a collection of poetry, In The Presence of Poets, has been released.  For details of this publication please click on the following link


In The Presence of Poets

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Winters Blues by pete marshall

Winters Blues

by pete marshall

Leaves still cling upon the trees

as cloudless skies embellish rays

of sun that hovers low beneath

the Winter blues that shorten days

Breath encircles worried minds

that hang from spiders silken threads

that shimmer bright in morning light

yet in the shadows harbours death

Damp that settles on the ground

where grass & weeds are mulched as one

that sees the snakes go slither by

whilst Summers work is left undone

A child’s bike lays on its side

left alone to play no more

its wheels entwined with Winters grief

abandoned, broke, upon the floor

A veil is drawn passed waiting eyes

that looked beyond these changing times

where man once walked the beat of life

yet turned his back, we missed the signs

Where hope is lost to those that deem

when Winters wrath sunk Autumn dreams

and storms have battered withered souls

who slip from life before they go……

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Elements in the news this week rekindled the pain of losing someone close. Depression is an illness, something that should never be taken lightly, something that is very close to my heart.