Doorways To Yesterday

The house slumps against overgrown yards
Where gardens wilt against the ground,
Begging for sleep beneath gray skies.
Vines move through weeds 
Like brittle fingers,
Reaching toward a sagging door 
Where paint peels like weathered skin, 
Curling in agony against the grain.
Once vibrant, now fading
Like all doorways to yesterday.

This is where memories flee,
Lying in wait like dormant ghosts 
That walk through the walls of my mind
As I walk through the door.

The hinges creak in protest,
Rusted by the rain of forgotten days.
The floors squeak in upset,
Unaccustomed to my timid feet.
The dust is stirred, the silence snaps
Like twigs used for kindling
To spark my tepid heart.
A decade becomes a moment.
A moment becomes a lifetime.

This is where memories live,
Trapped in time like restless ghosts 
That walk through walls and haunt the halls 
Of doorways to yesterday.

Though broken, they open
To swallow me whole.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Cornish Avatar
March 3, 2019 at 6:15 PM
You have an amazing gift Heather that is beyond superlatives.
Leblanc Avatar
September 8, 2015 at 7:55 AM
Well, Heather, since I am obsessed with nostalgia this one had me from the start. You're beginning to make me feel like a hack. You did a really wonderful job on this one. And, by the way, I know where that house is... George
Zerbst Avatar
October 22, 2014 at 9:01 PM
Back reading this one again for lack of new poems. I truly hope you post some new ones soon. I just can't get over this one. It speaks more to me than most poems of the masters. ~Yes, my longer poems do take a dreadfully long time to complete and perfect (at least so much as my limited knowledge allows). Not uncommon for the ballads to be a week or more in the making.
Dietrich Avatar
October 17, 2014 at 10:03 PM
Heather, revisiting this Halloween type poem you did a whole year ago. Sure wish you had been writing the whole time you were away. Then we would have many TREATS to read!!
Hamilton Avatar
September 20, 2013 at 7:10 AM
what a write Heather you took me there to see the peeling paint and the ghosts of yore as they linger hauntingly. An exceptional write (7)and one for fav's Shadow x smile
Hunter Avatar
September 3, 2013 at 1:33 PM
So many of your poems leave me kinda dreamy...haha. They do. This one is one of them. Love your stuff!
Dietrich Avatar
September 1, 2013 at 2:02 PM
wow, this is luscious reading. I just took a chance to see if you were active this past week and found this most recent post of yours I had missed. The ending here is incredible!!!
Lamoureux Avatar
September 1, 2013 at 12:47 AM
Outstanding! I love the haunting mood you have created. 7 rating, would be higher if I could. Straight to favorites. This is an exceptional piece!
Kithinji Avatar
August 31, 2013 at 1:46 PM
...where memories flee...where memories live...trapped in time...
Chircop Avatar
August 29, 2013 at 3:52 PM
I missed your poetry Heather and am glad you re back dear..Such an excellent post..Keep writing : )
Zerbst Avatar
August 26, 2013 at 8:40 PM
Some powerful free verse you have here! I will have to try it again, but my last free verse was awful. I see you have some excellent similes, and concise descriptions, and sharp visuals... sounds too. Quite amazing.
Tacito Avatar
August 26, 2013 at 2:33 PM
OMG it's a new poem from Heather! YAY!!! Where you been??? =D So, this writing, DAMN! What a powerful & churning end. This almost sounds like a battle w/self and letting go. I may be off though. Either way, wonderful job!
Showalter Swift Avatar
August 26, 2013 at 2:31 PM
Love many lines and images here! Especially: Vines move through weeds Like brittle fingers, Reaching toward a sagging door
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