The 'Beautiful' Ghetto


In my mind is a place of unbearable beauty,
     So agonizing to recall the charm;
A place, so lovely and pretty, rows of homes,
             And lace curtains billowing in the breeze.
                            The place of my early childhood

My family left this home far behind, we moved,
     But in my mind this place remained beautiful;
Many, many years have passed, life has gone forward,
                And I return for the first time.
                              The beauty shattered in my mind.

Replaced by the reality of an inner city ghetto,
     Devastated, rundown, ravaged rows of houses;
Boarded up, crumbling, gone to waste and ruin,
                  It is almost to much to fathom.
                               Yet there is a shadow of the beauty.

And as I view the destruction of time passed,
     Houses fallen and given way to neglect;
I realize my memory is no longer a valid thing,
                   Closing my eyes, I recall the loveliness.
                                   A time I had placed on a pedestal.

Gone, gone, gone is the existence of beauty,
    Only and forever living in my wandering mind;
In the mind of a child, happy and safe, playing,
                    Where nothing horrible ever happens.
                                    The place of my early childhood.

__________________________
March 10, 2014


Poetry/Verse/The 'Beautiful' Ghetto
Copyright Protected, ID 03-548-451-10
All Rights Reserved, 2014, Constance La France
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Scars Avatar
August 7, 2016 at 7:23 PM
Broken Wings, congrats on your placement with this remarkable poem sweet lady :)-luloo
Richards Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 2:29 PM
We must hang on to our precious memories, for often they are more beautiful than what is left behind. Lovely work once again, Constance! Congratulations on your win!
Lamoureux Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 8:22 AM
You captured the spirit of loss and the beauty. Congrats Constance.
A   Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 2:10 AM
Broken, Congratulations on your wonderful win. Stop by my blog "BOSSY COW." if you'd like, enjoy my sheer, simple madness. Hugs ~LINDA~
A   Avatar
April 18, 2015 at 6:06 PM
Broken, Congratulations on getting the placement your poem did not get the first time... LINDA
Roper Avatar
April 15, 2015 at 8:30 PM
Beautiful pen, sad , but beautiful and a photo to match it's beauty, 7 and congratulations on your win. Blessings eve
Ebbs Avatar
April 15, 2015 at 7:18 PM
It was long ago, but I am still so sorry for your loss, and congrats for your win; smiles :)
Haight Avatar
April 15, 2015 at 8:58 AM
BW, so glad to see your moving poem received the higher placement it deserved. Congratulations! Hugs, Sandra
Allison Avatar
April 15, 2015 at 5:17 AM
Such a moving write broken wings - time marches on and our memories remain - Ive been back to my childhood home - wish I'd not now how it had changed beyond all recognition :-( so glad to see this showcased - congrats:-) Hugs Jan xx
Eastman Avatar
April 11, 2014 at 4:26 PM
It describes so much about going back... It's never the same... Well written.
Sirak Avatar
March 22, 2014 at 6:54 AM
As time marches on, it tramples the past's precious memories underfoot. When we return, nothing is quite as we remember. Awesome writing.
Dietrich Avatar
March 14, 2014 at 12:03 AM
oh my goodness, I really can relate to this one, Constance. Thinking of some beautiful places in my memory and how they are just not that way any more, just the shadow of the beauty remains. So sad. Glad to see you posting a new one. Luv, Andrea
La France Avatar
March 16, 2014 at 8:08 AM
Thank you Andrea.
Horne Avatar
March 11, 2014 at 2:54 PM
Love this sad but beautiful heartfelt write, my friend. Thanks very much - great contest. Hope you're having a great week xx
La France Avatar
March 16, 2014 at 8:12 AM
Thank you Jack.
Richards Avatar
March 11, 2014 at 11:16 AM
This is so beautiful and sad. The melancholy tone, brings a tear to my eye. We all harbor a memory of our childhood, and for some the beauty lingers in our minds, and that cannot become the shambles of reality. You will always have this memory to cherish. ...... Thank you Constance, for your support in the recent contest. And I pray that your eyesight is better with time... Best wishes!!
La France Avatar
March 16, 2014 at 8:18 AM
Thank you Carrie.
Sivey Avatar
March 10, 2014 at 10:08 PM
I remember your original write, it was also quite tender and full of emotion, both of these poems are done masterfully, and I love both of them equally! I surely enjoyed reading this astounding piece this evening! What a grand poem, Great Work!!
La France Avatar
March 16, 2014 at 8:18 AM
Thank you Russell.
Kendrick Avatar
March 10, 2014 at 4:15 PM
Reads like a winner to me..I don't know if based on fact but I see it everywhere...What was once beautiful and well cared for property is now run down..I guess that things must change but I would always hope that they would change for the better..Thanks for the honor of being on your winner's list..Sara
La France Avatar
March 16, 2014 at 8:27 AM
Thank you Sara.
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