Say goodbye to memories lost
Poetry
When broken hearts may mend
For Sale – as is
FOR SALE – AS IS
“For Sale – As Is,” read the realtor’s ad,
“Furnishings Included,
Beautiful Home, Magnificent View,
Private and Secluded!”
With interest, I approached the house,
Neglected, of course, and run-down,
Cobwebs and spiders, mouse tracks and mice,
And layers of dust all around.
The realtor said she was ‘sorry,’
She had not seen this place before,
Her orders had come in the mail,
“Sell the house – as is” … nothing more.
Distaste for the place showed on her face,
But I smiled and said, “I’ve seen worse,”
“Well, I haven’t,” she said, with disgust,
Her voice sarcastic and terse.
Wainscoting and woodwork – yellowed with age,
Hand-carved banisters – broken and cracked,
Floors – moaning and groaning under our weight,
Brass fixtures – discolored and black.
But all around, clues could be found
This once was a house that was prime,
Though it had had no loving care,
For a very long, long time,
A grand staircase swept up from below,
Elaborate in marble and teak,
Time and grime may have stolen its shine,
But there it stood … still proud and unique.
Then next a great room with huge windows,
Surely a ballroom meant for a dance,
Its draperies, musty and dusty,
Yet displaying an old elegance.
A chandelier hung from the ceiling,
Though archaic, it welcomed the light,
It gleamed a bit when the sunshine hit,
Thus proving it still had a life.
I closed my eyes and saw ladies in gowns,
And men in full dress, bowing low,
I heard a lively tune that filled the room,
And caught myself tapping my toe.
I saw children on the banisters,
I heard them giggle sliding by,
I saw them racing one another
Up the stairs for one more try.
The pictures in my mind persisted,
This abandoned place was once a home,
Love, warmth, and cheer one time were here,
Though now it was cold and alone.
“I’ll take the house!” I blurted out,
The realtor was struck dumb,
“Yes, I know what I am doing!”
She stood there, startled and stunned.
The price was right; the deed was done,
My name went on the dotted line,
We shook hands; she left in haste,
I guess for fear I’d change my mind.
I looked about and made a vow,
I swore I would revive this place,
Too much still alive in here,
Not time to go or be replaced.
I had the needed tools to use,
Soap and water … and elbow grease,
But most of all what I possessed
Was a wondrous dream that would not cease.
From laughing children on a staircase,
To dancing feet on polished floors,
From opened curtains at big windows,
To sunshine streaming in galore.
The poor realtor no way could see
The same house that I saw,
She only used her eyes to look,
So, she could not see it all.
Thus, to see things best, I must suggest
One employ all one’s faculties,
Not just one’s eyes to look around,
But use one’s heart to fully see.
Where will I be
Where will I be when I reached the end
Where am I going when I cross the line
Will all my fights be meant
Will my loved ones be fine
Can I live with sadness
Can I die with regret
Can I still feel the madness
Or is it a blessing I will forget
Will I leave with a smile in my heart
Or are the tears flowing down my face
Will I feel defeated and fall apart
Or shall I bow to life and leave with grace
Am I in the company of strangers
Or are my friends and family around
Am I glad I left this world and all its dangers
Or is there so much more to be found
Waiting
Waiting, waiting, all day long
Alone in bed on my back
‘Till the doctor comes along
I am feeling like a wreck
Please tell me please what is wrong
Why I’m feeling so down
I really thought I was strong
But now I’m feeling rundown
Like a train wreck passing by
Not yet certain of its faith
My body heaves a big sigh
Destined to be a grand wraith
A smile on my face
I saw a picture the other day
It puts a smile on my face
It was a kitten gone astray
I followed her just incase
She searched in the alley
To the right and to the left
She wasn’t dilli-dally
She didn’t look she was bereft
She conducted a deliberate course
She knew where she needed to go
Because the smell of the source
Was almost touchable you know
And yes finally there it was
In the corner behind a box
A tiny creature with sharp claws
Blowing and screeching like a fox
The little kitten was surprised
Of the enormous noise that was produced
It almost looked a wolf disguised
Her self-confidence was reduced
She meowed and fluffed her back real high
Then blew very hard as if to say
You can screech but you cannot defy
Today you are going to be my prey
The little creature then stood tall
Her head upright real proud
I am not afraid of you at all
And with a gorgeous smile she bowed
She fluffed her feathers and turned away
With pride in her tiny eyes
And when she was almost halfway
She shook her wings what was unwise
Because that little hesitation
Caused a stir in the little cat
And with great dedication
She jumped on top and that was that
She cleaned her whiskers and her paws
And with a big smile on her face
She stretched her tiny claws
From the little bird there was no trace
So if you see a little kitten
Don’t ever think she is incapable
Because there has never been written
That a kitten can’t be inescapable
Written in the sand
I walked along the seashore
My heart full of angry emotion
I wanted to shout out loud
Let it flow over the ocean
Instead I took up some driftwood
And wrote my anger in the sand
And near the water’s edge I noticed
I could hold my temper in hand
So all the ill thoughts of you
Won’t pass my lips today
Because this evening’s surf
Washed my anger away
Your hands are signs of love
I look at my old hands and smile
They have been hurting for a while
They look like parchment and are frail
Unsteady, delicate and pale
They have worked hard and for so long
They gave solace, they can be strong
My sore fingers are oddly bent
But still I am fine and content
‘Cause what I see is all that’s good
They loved a lot and understood
The power of consolation
Of awareness and creation
Grandmother’s hands are just a gem
I would never try to hide them
Every imperfection and scar
I know how beautiful they are
Yellow
You are the sunshine in my life
When you are around all seems bright
The world displays shades of colour
All I need is a splash of light
Of all the flowers in the world
The yellow ones I like the best
They will always lead me to your love
With you I lay my heart to rest
Woolgathering
Where did they go
The thoughts I used to have
The words I used to say
The dreams that used to flow?
Where did they go
The friends I used to have
The songs I used to sing
The heart I used to know?
Where did they go
The family I used to have
The things I used to do
The joy I used to show?
It all sank in the sea of forgetfulness
That’s why I found a new way
Of dealing with my absent mind
It’s woolgathering awareness
So if you ask me where I’ve been
The answer can be ridiculous
Maybe I was dancing with the muggles
Or with the spiders under my skin
But you can be sure I am not far away
I’ll be just a few minutes gone
Because even in the strangest places
I will find the here and now holding on
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