Sunday, January 18, 2009

Letting Go



Walk by the old house the other day
Where the rusted screen door laid
Still empty after all these years
Creaking floors that holds so many tears

Clapboard siding lost the memories
Of what the colors used to be
Broken fence letting the weeds out
Now covers the old living room couch

Walk down the driveway today
Where the kids road their bikes and played
It’s sad it never did sell
All of our dreams that went away and fell

Closed the gate when I left, don’t know why
I think it was something in me, deep inside
The place has become quite the eye sore
I won’t be going back there

Anymore…

21 comments:

oneperson said...

Love the imagery George. I could hear the creek of the gate and echoes of the past. I felt nostalgia, the essence of 'what if,' and the voices resonated from the tattered clapboard.

Thanks for the read!
Carol :-)

Noelle Dunn.... A Poet in Progress said...

Whoa...I totally felt that sadness and I agree with Carol on the imagery. Good one!! Keep them coming.

Shadow said...

such sadness and neglect. but whatever is, the memories still are. nice. very, very nice!

George said...

Thanks Carol, It was good seeing ya dropping by the old stomping grounds...

Noelle, Yeah.. I was trying to write something that people attach themselves to, only to have to let it go. Such as love and home.

I'm glad you felt that too...

Shadow, A visit from you always makes my day.

Sadness and neglect tares away of what completes happiness stability.

Though I'd been sick for week, while recuperating, I can't believe how much had happen in the blogging neighborhood in my absence. It will take awhile to catch up...

Charli Henley said...

Hi George. I could really see this place. I have a place like that in my own heart.

Funny how places become us (and we become them) and then we leave them and they continue to survive without us.

The picture is great too.

George said...

Hi Charli, I'm glad you came by for a visit.

It is funny how things that are important in our lives will do that...

She Who Works Her Will said...

George, this is really wonderful!

findingmywingsinlife said...

So many things that are hard to let go, this is a beautiful poem, albeit a sad one. I look forward to reading more things you decide to post, this has captured my attention.

George said...

Hi Tracy, Thanks...

George said...

welcome Findingmywingsinlife. Feel free to wander around anytime.

Letting go sometimes evokes powerful emotions some sad, some of renewal.

Visitors are very appreciated...

Anonymous said...

George - This is sad, but you are so very correct in saying

"Letting go sometimes evokes powerful emotions some sad, some of renewal."

Thank you for posting this.

christopher said...

Hey George, thanks for keeping on. The more you do the work, the deeper the changes the work will make in you. The old house...sometimes I go by the house I left behind, the first one I owned, owned it for twenty years but had to mortgage twice over to save my financial butt. So I own it no more...

George said...

Thanks, Tracey. I always enjoy hearing your thoughts.

George said...

Hi Christopher. Welcome to this side of the woods.

I think we all eventually come to that realization that when it's the time to let it go as we close to door behind us.

Thanks again for coming by...

Crafty Green Poet said...

very melancholy atmosphere in this

Unknown said...

nice post george...i feel sad bout your post

Laura said...

I feel like I am sharing in your memory. I love being able to picture the children riding their bikes. Wonderful poem! Thank you George.

Anonymous said...

Hi, George! It's so good to see you again. I hope you're feeling better. I look forward to catching up on what I've missed here!

I agree with everyone's positive comments about this poem. The imagery is beautiful. You've created a wonderful "ghost" of a house here...the old clapboard falling down, the memories, etc. Letting go is so hard. But I also love the twist you have at the end. Excellent work, George!

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

I know just how you feel, my friend. It isn't easy seeing a, once beautiful, dwelling place gone to ruin! I love the way you have paired that great photo with your very reflective poem.

"... Still empty after all these years
Creaking floors that holds so many tears" -

Such a wistful longing there.

It is hard to see a house that was once full of life and laughter and, yes - even tears, stand vacant and deteriorating. So many memories - so many days gone.

George said...

I am feeling a lot better, now I'm just trying to catch up to everyone.

Thank you for all of your wonderful responses...

Noelle Dunn.... A Poet in Progress said...

When ya gonna post something new, you must have an arsenal of crazy good stuff, George.