Ellen Gwaltney Bales | + Follow Poet |
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Going To New Castle

When shall we go
I ask my friend
The question of the hour
Tomorrow we might go
It isn’t supposed to rain
Perhaps next week instead
Oh but then we say next month
We will go then
When the leaves are falling
We’ll leave before Christmas 
Surely we will beat the snow
But will we beat the wrecking crew
The house has stood near two centuries
The roof has caved in
Are the floors safe
She lived there once
When it was a beauty
In her eyes it is, still
When shall we go

Copyright © Ellen Gwaltney Bales | Year Posted 2023

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Ellen Gwaltney Bales Date: 10/25/2023 2:41:00 PM You are very perceptive, Gary. I appreciate your remarks so much. I believe you are one who truly understands this piece. Thank you! Ellen Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 10/27/2023 12:29:00 AM When reading it I imagined it being recited and hearing the conversational tone changes and the pauses and the sadness being conveyed. Cheers - Gary

Gary Radice Date: 10/24/2023 11:23:00 PM An air of sadness and poignancy drips from your words Ellen. 'Progress' doesn't recognize memories. I particularly like the 'putting off' going and the air of inevitability that pervades your lines. Cheers - Gary Login to Reply Ellen Gwaltney Bales Date: 10/25/2023 2:41:00 PM You are very perceptive, Gary. I appreciate your remarks so much. I believe you are one who truly understands this piece. Thank you! Ellen

Ilene Bauer Date: 8/7/2023 11:35:00 AM this is very well expressed, ellen! sometimes it's best to let things live on only in our memories... Login to Reply

Jan Allison Date: 8/7/2023 11:12:00 AM aww what a touching piece Ellen, I went back to my childhood home area and wished I hadnt as all the memories were dashed as it had changed beyond all recognition but a dilapidated house as in your poem still has those memories attached. hugs Jan xx Login to Reply