Sandra Haight Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

Note: This was my childhood home. It was an old Victorian-style house that seemed like a 'castle' to me. New York State claimed our home via eminent domain and purchased it in 1960 to build the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge over the Hudson River to connect the two cities, and it opened in 1963.

 

Castle On the Hill

Upon a grassy hill, so long ago,
there stood a lovely 'castle', tall and white;
was built in eighteen eighty-six, aglow
with cozy rooms and firesides burning bright. 
So charming were the winding stairs that flared
'neath grand cathedral ceiling's chandelier.
Outdoors, a rolling lawn and gardens shared
a rippling stony brook, so full and clear.

This 'castle' on the hill from long ago
became a fairytale- no more to see.
Now, only precious thoughts that come and go
can bring to life my fading memory.

My childhood 'castle' on the hill is gone-
our home- torn down to build a bridge upon.

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P.S. Awtry March 3, 2021 at 9:37 AM Congratulations Sandra on your win in Carolyn's contest with this beautifully sad poem. So well written, as always. The form matches perfectly with the subject :)

Constance La France March 2, 2021 at 3:00 PM Sandra, congratulations on your win in Carolyn's contest with this emotional poem, we had a house by a stream in my childhood that was taken, along with many others to build a university, it still hurts my heart to think about it as I am sure your castle does for you _Constance

David Holmes March 1, 2021 at 1:37 PM Congratulations on your first place win. I too, after may years went back to my childhood home, only to find it was gone. Another in it's place - but the memories remain - a wonderful poem, David Holmes

Jan Allison March 1, 2021 at 11:27 AM I went back to see my childhood home and it had been extended and basically rebuilt and looked nothing like it used to - we can only keep our memories in our hearts, congrats on your win Sandra:-) hugs Jan xx

Carolyn Devonshire March 1, 2021 at 11:08 AM We didn't have the chandelier, but in many respects my childhood home resembled yours, Sandra. How sad that your "castle" had to be torn down. Keep the memories alive in beautiful poems like this one. Congratulations on a first-place win. Hugs, Carolyn Carolyn Devonshire March 1, 2021 at 11:12 AM Soup mail

Line Gauthier May 15, 2020 at 8:44 PM How tragic. Robbing a child's memory ~ can't remove the images in your heart. They did the same with my grandmother's house. The nerve !

Eve Roper April 25, 2018 at 9:01 PM Congratulations on your win, Sandra, wonderful poem ..Hugs Eve ~`* Sandra Haight April 29, 2018 at 2:44 PM Thank you very much, Eve! Hugs, Sandra

Janis Medders Tobechi April 25, 2018 at 7:26 PM Very sad and nostalgic place that was lost due to the wheels of progress. However the memories you must have had there can never been destroyed. Congratulations on this fine piece. Sandra Haight April 29, 2018 at 2:43 PM Thank you for your visit and supportive comments, Sian. Yes, memories live on and are a great consolation. Hugs, Sandra

Susan Gentry April 25, 2018 at 2:50 PM Congratulations on your win. Wonderfully written. BTW I just read your 'Heartfelt Sonnets'. Congratulations on your book. Love it. I admire your style of writing a lot. Sandra Haight April 25, 2018 at 3:12 PM Oh, my, Susan, what a nice surprise that you purchased my book! Thank you so much, and thank you for your wonderful support with all your nice visits and comments. Createspace is a great way to publish if one can do all the setup of the book on the computer as I did. No costs except for the copyright and proof, all under $50! Thanks again! Hugs, Sandra

Rob Carmack April 25, 2018 at 2:24 PM Love your Sonnets. Congrats Sandra. Sandra Haight April 25, 2018 at 3:06 PM Thank you so much, Rob, for your visit, uplifting comment and congrats! Much appreciated. Sandra

Line Gauthier April 25, 2018 at 10:22 AM Lovely penning especially in first stanza, Sandra. Congrats on placing with this beautiful poem. Sandra Haight April 25, 2018 at 10:39 AM Thank you, Line, for your nice comments and placement. Such nice memories growing up there and then to have it disappear forever. I have to pass the site often...Hugs, Sandra

Poet Destroyer A May 1, 2016 at 5:59 PM Sandra, Congratulations on your castle on a hill win... love Linda

Sizwe Hlabisa May 1, 2016 at 6:26 AM Congrats.... this was great to read

Wendy Rycroft May 1, 2016 at 4:05 AM Congrats love it xx

Balveen Cheema April 28, 2016 at 9:16 AM So sorry to lose such a beautiful home! Congrats on your fine slot, Sandra! Sandra Haight April 29, 2016 at 2:57 PM Yes, it was sad, Balveen. Thank you for stopping by with your congratulations. Hugs, Sandra

Moon Flower April 28, 2016 at 8:13 AM Congrats on your fine win, Sandra. :) Sandra Haight April 29, 2016 at 2:56 PM Thank you so much, Moon Flower! Hugs, Sandra

Joseph May April 27, 2016 at 4:55 PM Congrats on your win Sandra... Sandra Haight April 27, 2016 at 5:50 PM Thank you very much, Joseph. Sandra

Lin Lane April 27, 2016 at 1:50 PM I love the reality of your castle on the hill. Congratulations, Sandra. Sandra Haight April 27, 2016 at 3:12 PM Thank you, Lin. It was the only home that had to be sacrificed for that bridge. I appreciate your visit and congrats. Hugs, Sandra

Joyce Johnson April 27, 2016 at 1:19 PM I am sorry it was torn down. Glad you have it in your memories. Congratulations. Love, Joyce Sandra Haight April 27, 2016 at 3:11 PM Hi Joyce, thank you for your nice visit and congratulations. Yes, I do have many memories. Hugs, Sandra

Beautiful Scars April 27, 2016 at 12:54 PM Sandra, many congrats on your placement in the contest! :)-luloo Sandra Haight April 27, 2016 at 3:06 PM Thank you, dear Luloo! Also, love your new Avatar! Hugs, Sandra

Bl Devnath April 27, 2016 at 12:53 PM Congrats on your great win with this beautiful poem my lovely friend. Loved always, bl Sandra Haight April 27, 2016 at 3:05 PM Thank you again, BL. I appreciate your nice visits and support. Sandra

Nayda Ivette Negron Flores April 27, 2016 at 12:37 PM Congratulations Sandra on the placement of the contest. Sandra Haight April 27, 2016 at 3:04 PM Thank you, Nayda, for another fine contest and for my nice placement! Hugs, Sandra

Bl Devnath April 25, 2016 at 12:31 PM Beautiful poem on castle my lovely friend. Good luck in the contest. Loved always, bl Sandra Haight April 25, 2016 at 7:48 PM Thank you once again, BL, for your nice visits and support. Sandra

Wendy Rycroft April 23, 2016 at 3:44 AM Read your poem once again love it great memories x Sandra Haight April 23, 2016 at 7:59 PM Thank you very much, Wendy! Hugs, Sandra

Connie Marcum Wong April 21, 2016 at 4:19 AM I want to live there Sandra! You are one of the best at rhyming. This poem deserves to shine at the top! #7 ; ) I think I must fave it! Sandra Haight April 23, 2016 at 7:59 PM Thank you, Connie, for your nice comment and supportive #7. The house is gone...very sad to drive past there...Hugs, Sandra

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