Letting Go of Home

That old faucet leaks. 
Done so for many a year. 
I let it drip in that bowl, 
birds; chipmunks; squirrel and other 
critters come here for a drink. 

This here tree out front? 
Wife and I planted it. Yep. 
Day we moved in here. 
I wanted a Saguaro. 
Mave wanted a good shade tree. 

Inside…watch yer step, 
that old board needs fixin', 
I’ll show you the rooms. 
This here was Mave’s favorite room. 
She picked out those curtains there. 

That’s my chair right there. 
Come into the kitchen, 
take a look around. 
Mave put up many a jar 
of jelly. Best in the state. 

Now up these stairs, 
are the bed rooms. This one’s Joe’s. 
He was our oldest. Gone now. 
Broke his mothers heart it did. 
He died in the war. A hero. 

This room was Katie’s. 
Her and my Mave painted it. 
Don’t care much for pink. 
But Katie had her heart set. 
But, I guess you could repaint. 

This little room here, 
Mave turned into a sewin’ room. 
Her own little hide away. 
Said I got the barn, so she 
needed her own little space. 

This was Mave’s and mine. 
Now it’s just me. It’s too big. 
I sleep on the couch. 
Fall asleep with the TV., 
Mave hated when I did that. 

Well, you’ve seen the house. 
Told you what I could 'bout it. 
If these walls could talk. 
You’d get an earful that’s sure. 
They’d likely never shut up. 

Me and Mave were here 
fifty two years till she died. 
Then just me ten more. 
Raised our two young’uns right here. 
Ain’t got no grankids as yet. 

Now, you two young folk, 
take yer time and think ’bout it. 
Don’t want to rush this. 
It will still be here for ya, 
when you two make up yer mind, 

Got my memories. 
First house is the most ‘portant. 
How you get on here, 
sets up the rest of your life, 
to make your own memories. 



This poem was inspired by one of our local, crusty,
old cowpoke, desert characters.  He spoke straight
from the hip, with no nonsense or frills.  
I sure wish we could have bought that old
homestead.

Entered in the contest  "What's Your Pleasure"
Hosted by Carol Brown 
Placement : 3rd
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Brown Avatar
August 16, 2010 at 2:49 PM
Just stopping by to remind you of my newest contest The Birds And The Bees. I hope you will enter the contest if you haven't already Paula. Thank you if you have already entered or plan on entering. Love, Carol
Cwiak Avatar
August 11, 2010 at 8:53 PM
What a wonderfully versed write, Paula. Congrats on your win in the contest. Dan C
Fraser Avatar
August 6, 2010 at 6:30 AM
Many congratulations Paula on your win in Carol's fine contest >> James
Johnson Avatar
August 5, 2010 at 5:40 PM
What a salesman he was. He made me want to buy the place just to inherit the memories. I expect you got his mode of speech just about right Carol. I loved it. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Mehta Avatar
August 5, 2010 at 5:11 PM
Congrats on this well deserved win, Paula
Freeman Avatar
August 5, 2010 at 4:10 PM
Congratulations Paula, with this beautiful poem among the winner circle. Agape, Moses
Sweetheart Avatar
August 5, 2010 at 1:11 PM
Congrats Paula on your winning poem in Carol's contest with this beautiful write and wonderful win .. a special piece to share.. enjoy another momentous turn in the winners circle..with luv..
Brown Avatar
August 5, 2010 at 1:11 PM
Congratulations on your placement in my contest Paula. Love, Carol
Skinner Avatar
August 2, 2010 at 8:33 PM
Makes me feel of the home I miss. Everyone has a place that brings fourth memories ,and you have captured that beautifuly.......Jim
Kendrick Avatar
August 2, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Beautiful write about memories and life whether it was truth or totally fiction makes one stop and think...Keep the creative gift flowing onto these pages..Sara
Mehta Avatar
August 2, 2010 at 4:13 AM
I enjoyed the last five lines that sums up the write.
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