Rust

I am a ruined house 
With a rusty fence,
So many phantoms reside resting recklessly,
A clock on the mantelpiece that won't work.  It's stuck staring at me,
Tick………,
The wallpaper is crumbling and fading away like my miserable memories. 
It doesn't seem real even though it is. 
Dreamy, dreary , dread , dead. 
But the fire is still working
Though everything is cold 
And almost dead. 
Somehow it is never always cold,
Flames auburn and assured. 

I fall in love,
When the wind
Clatters and chatters the weary windows. 

When you knocked on the tedious door,
I fell in love with you,
You seemed full of halo light,
Full of sparks
Like the 4th of July,
Your words full of life,
You could make thousands of people alive. 
But I can't untarnish the fence, 
Can't paint the walls crimson. 
But your eyes think,
I'm beautiful,
Life is fleeting and transient,
So, I started painting the panelled wooden house crimson. 
You can't paint oak crimson. 
It's ruining me,
I can't fall in love.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Goldsmith Avatar
November 24, 2025 at 6:33 AM
I enjoyed reading your wonderful "Rust" write/story. The life of a house and the life of a person can be the same in many ways. I wish you would write more. Have a blessed day writing away..............
M  Avatar
August 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Life is not always easy to navigate thats for sure Anne….your poem tells of the trials and tribulations that come with it like loneliness and depression so beautifully…..a poem from a lovely heart! Debx
Winter Avatar
September 23, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Dear Deb, I'm so grateful that you understood my poem with such depth. Love, Anne
Buhagiar Avatar
August 18, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Always perfect style. A poem that reaches one's soul. Life is fleeting and transient, perfect line. Tragically so true.
Winter Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Dear Victor, life is fleeting and transient, so I always try to make the most of it but sometimes my depression doesn't allow me much freedom.
Godwin Avatar
August 14, 2025 at 6:13 AM
This is a fantastic emotional jumble that absolutely rocks me each time I read it. The pieces, so many pieces to feel, not hidden in elusive layers of imagery, yet not spelled out either but a delivery of sharpness, one feels where each sharp's point is and what it is thought-emotive stabbing. Wonderful, even, to me, unique writing. Ew baby! Poetry hugs ... CayCay
Winter Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Dear CayCay, a wonderful note, thank you for writing with such brilliance! I appreciate you taking the time to read my poem:)
Rolland Avatar
August 11, 2025 at 2:43 AM
impressive metaphor, great sense of images, this is so nice to read and being inspired, thanks poet Anne
Winter Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Thankyou for writing such a lovely comment :)
Kendrick Avatar
August 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Ahhh!!! A metaphor used wisely. I enjoyed reading this one. Thank you for sharing. Sara K
Winter Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I'm glad you enjoyed the poem :)
Andresen Avatar
August 10, 2025 at 11:21 AM
- You're trying hard to make the best of it... not all changes in life are easy to accept, Anne - An emotional poem - hugs
Winter Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Dear Anne-Lise, life comes with loads of changes but sometimes all the heart wants is just some comfort in just one person. A safe space in a person :)
Anaya Avatar
August 10, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Learning how to love ourselves can make all the difference in loving someone and all it's supposed to be. A crimson house may not apply to everyone, but can be fixed along with its interior! Oak is beautiful as it is, that is not the issue or is it? Love yourself first, Girl Power * I love the opportunity to read and interpret your poetic mind __xhugs, Anaya
Winter Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Dear Anaya, I feel honoured reading your comment. Anne Sexton is one of my favorite poets, thanks for the reference and writing such a brilliant note.
Anaya Avatar
August 10, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Here is a poem I think you'd like by another Anne with an E :) It's called "The Poet Of Ignorance" by Anne Sexton...It's phenomenal..."Perhaps the earth is floating,I do not know. Perhaps the stars are little paper cutups made by some giant scissors, I do not know. Perhaps the moon is a frozen tear, I do not know. Perhaps God is only a deep voice heard by the deaf, I do not know. Perhaps I am no one. True, I have a body and I cannot escape from it. I would like to fly out of my head, but that is out of the question. It is written on the tablet of destiny that I am stuck here in this human form. That being the case I would like to call attention to my problem. ...........it goes on look it up if you'd like. :)
Rodgers Avatar
August 8, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Dearest Anne, It’s devastating. It’s honest. It’s the kind of truth that makes poetry matter. I don’t know if you meant to write a poem about the impossibility of healing or the stubbornness of trying anyway but you did both. I kept thinking I had walked into a haunted house and didn’t want to leave. That is how you speak from the heart. Blessings, My Dear Anne, Daniel
Winter Avatar
August 9, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Dearest Daniel, thank you for such a brilliant note! I tried to convey both hope and resilience. Your notes mean a lot to me than words can decipher, my dearest Daniel, with love and respect always, Anne
Velasco Avatar
August 7, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Haunting and beautiful—your imagery paints both decay and hope with such vivid strokes. The contrasts between rust and flame, cold and warmth, despair and love, make this piece linger in the mind long after reading.
Winter Avatar
August 9, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Dear Rowena, your comments are always appreciated and I love reading them. Thank you so much! Best, Anne
Etgen-Baker Avatar
August 7, 2025 at 4:54 PM
wow, a totally engaging poem...wasn't expecting the last line...took my breath away. Loved the old house metaphor...perfect! hugs, Sara
Winter Avatar
August 9, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Dear Sara, thank you so much for writing such a lovely comment ! I appreciate you so much! Best, Anne
Fleming Avatar
August 7, 2025 at 8:21 AM
A powerful and gripping poem, Anne. I found your poem fascinating - grabbed my attention right from the very first line. Well penned! :) john
Winter Avatar
August 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Dear John, I'm glad you enjoyed my poem, thank you so much for writing such a lovely comment! Best, Anne
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