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674 Santa Rosa 

my childhood home
for almost 10 years
was 674 Santa Rosa 
Berkeley California

A five bedroom 
adobe California home
on the side of a hill
at the bottom of the Berkeley hills

you entered on the top floor
across the street you entered 
on the bottom floor
thus it was in the Berkeley Hills

the house 
had a large deck
with a perfect view 
of the golden gate

we used
 to sit outside
watching the sunset
as we ate dinner

my Mom and Dad
would have 
their nightly cocktails
on the deck

before retreating inside
to continue
their nightly fights 
and arguments

I grew up
downstairs
hearing their constant words
of hatred, dismay and outrage

my parents were the proverbial
odd couple
perhaps 
never should have married

but despite the hate
there was still some love
that kept them together
throughout the years

we had a rec room 
with a pool table
and I hung out there
with my friends

my mother tolerated my friends
most of the time 
she would be somewhat sober
until after they left

and the madness came 
over her 
as she drank her whisky
and wine

the basement room
was added later
was my younger brother’s room
later was my room 

whenever I visited 
from college days
hiding out downstairs
avoiding my mad mother

my old room lay abandoned
filled with books
thousands of books
that I had read over the years

when she died
I should have taken
all the books
instead I took 

about one hundred
just no space
for the books
of my childhood memories

National Poetry month day two prompt specific place poem 674 Santa Rosa Berkeley California

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