674 Santa Rosa, Berkeley, California
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
Copyright © Jake Aller | Year Posted 2020
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