an abandoned house
falls down from neglect
it’s true
I’ve seen it happen
loneliness rots the wood
emptiness eats away
the foundation
like a termite
keep a house
habitated and it won’t
wear out
as long as there are
feet on the floor
voices in the hall
reasons to
stay home
the one who first
drove nails into wood at
our address
couldn’t have known
we would paint
the kitchen floor
blue with purple
puppy paws
when we tore out
the plaster and lathe
I wondered
what escaped in the air
trapped in the walls
the stuff that kept
the house from
falling down
this week our home
has housed old friends
godchildren
my in-laws who have come
to stay the summer
our well-worn house
is alive and
very well
Peace,
Milton
Beautiful, really captures the living energy of houses.
I often wonder what atmosphere houses my family has lived in now have, what subtle and not so subtle changes there are.
And can a house still exist if it exists in memory, even if the building has been pulled down?
Thank you
Thanks, Milton. We’re getting ready to say goodbye to our house, sigh.
A house is a home when it’s filled with love. You are blessed. Please give MY love to all your loved ones. ; )
I like this post very much. We recently moved into an old house.
Thank you!