Gary Radice Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

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Originally published: 31st December 2019

Image: OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

This Poem was placed 1st in the "Podium Placing Promise (3)" Poetry Contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 2nd February 2021)

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House For Sale

the sun that is shining through the window right now
is the same sun that shone way back when
- but although it's the same, it's different somehow

it shone brighter

and longer
 
back then.


the walls of this room that have stood strong for years
are the same walls on which that sun shone
- they've witnessed the laughter, the love and the tears

and keep secrets

now people

are gone.


the sun casts long shadows as it's time to depart
through the door with its mass of junk mail
- the death of both parents has ripped out the heart

of a home

now a house
 
that's for sale.

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Rachel Treacher May 12, 2026 at 10:28 PM I am sure many can relate to the sense of loss that moving out/on from a childhood home carries. I walk past ours from time to time and take comfort that the house has a new young family loving it. The house has come alive again. Gary Radice May 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM I think that’s a great way of looking at things Rachel. New blood. New life. New times. Cheers - Gary

Sara Kendrick May 19, 2023 at 3:40 AM Sad. We all have to face the fact of losing our parents sometimes twice because of dementia. Thanks for sharing the emotions felt at their passing with us. I hope that healing from their loss is well underway, and the good memories come pouring in filling your heart, mind and soul. Congratulations on this winner. Sara Gary Radice May 20, 2023 at 4:42 AM Hi Sara. Thank you for your lovely comments. My parents actually died over 15 years ago. We humans tend never to forget but learn to cope over time don't we? The feelings I had on that day when clearing their house have certainly stayed with me. I'll catch up with my reading tomorrow. Cheers - Gary

Christuraj Alex May 19, 2023 at 2:12 AM Beautiful chorus. Congratulations! Gary Radice May 20, 2023 at 4:37 AM Thank you Christuraj. I forgot that I had entered this into Brian's contest to be honest. I felt that using the chorus added more 'melancholy air' to the piece. Cheers - Gary

Brian Strand September 30, 2021 at 1:24 AM A familiar tale Gary,like the 'chorus' form Gary Radice September 30, 2021 at 2:04 AM Yes..and a sad tale..I still well up thinking about the sale of my parents' house but such is life. Thanks for your comments Brian and your use of the word 'chorus' in there..it fits so well. Cheers - Gary

Howard Kerr January 3, 2021 at 5:49 AM Congratulations on your contest win with this stunning creation. It’s a credit to you. I appreciate your soupmail regarding my selection and your generous review. howard kerr Gary Radice January 3, 2021 at 6:10 AM Thank you Howard for your wonderful comments - I'm glad you liked the poem. It's all very much appreciated. I loved reading your poem this morning. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

John Gondolf January 3, 2021 at 4:24 AM A very poignant piece, Gary, nicely penned. I was the executor on my grandmother’s estate and had to sell her house which had been in the family for sixty years, that was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my life. Congrats on your win. John Gary Radice January 3, 2021 at 4:50 AM Thanks John. I have to admit I rarely go past my parents' house any more, if at all. It's as if that chapter of my life has finally closed and that's what makes the situation sad for me. I appreciate your comments and can empathise with your situation.

Marilene Evans October 8, 2020 at 3:59 PM So nicely don.... all those memories... Congratulations. Gary Radice October 9, 2020 at 6:38 AM Thank you Marilene. Cheers - Gary

Jo Chamberlain October 8, 2020 at 8:10 AM I really enjoyed your poem, congratulations on your win. :-) Gary Radice October 8, 2020 at 8:20 AM Hi Joanna - Thanks for your comments. Much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman October 7, 2020 at 9:39 PM So melancholy, Gary. I had the same feelings when we sold our family home of four generations. You captured that feeling beautifully. Congratulations my friend! Gary Radice October 8, 2020 at 12:59 AM Thank you Sam. I can only imagine what it was like selling your old family home of four generations. My old house and my childhood was some other world. Cheers - Gary

Eve Roper October 7, 2020 at 9:17 PM Great write , Gary, for Linda's contest. Congratulations on your win. Gary Radice October 8, 2020 at 1:00 AM Thank you Eve. This was one of those poems that was easy to write as the memories are still vivid from that day in my mind. Cheers - Gary

John Watt October 7, 2020 at 8:11 PM You carried the tension nicely right to the end, and the sadness by then is palpable. The home is a marvelous metaphor to use for the turning of the tides from life to death. Beautifully rendered, congratulations ~ John Gary Radice October 8, 2020 at 1:03 AM Thank you John. I reckon I could write a poem about the whole street where I used to play. So many memories, so many words and so many lines. Cheers - Gary

Line Gauthier February 22, 2020 at 6:45 PM Beautiful penned, Gary. Gary Radice February 23, 2020 at 5:01 AM Thank you! I actually felt the hurt when writing it. I know my sister and some friends on facebook shed a tear when reading this and its sister poem: 'The Garden Seat' having been in the same situation themselves recently. On that level the poem succeeded. I'm very happy with it.

Barry Stebbings January 3, 2020 at 9:43 AM Very poignant piece, Gary. Such happens when homes become houses. // Barry Gary Radice January 3, 2020 at 9:52 AM Thanks for reading and commenting Barry. I think the last time I set foot in the old family home was truly one of the saddest days of my life. This poem wrote itself. Cheers Gary