Where the Heart Resides
Like open arms
These broken gates reach out to me
And lead me to the lonely house
That overlooks the sea
Her door once proud and stately
Now splintered hangs in shame
As she realizes no longer can she
Keep out the wind and rain
I look into her beautiful
Sad and haunted eyes
These windows to her soul
Where alone she waits to die
Her rooms I see before me
Stripped naked raped and bleeding
And somewhere from within them
I hear her softly pleading
She beckons me to enter
I cross her threshold timidly
And suddenly an old familiar feeling
Comes washing over me
The floorboards squeak beneath me
As I move slowly down the hall
Tip-toeing through the paper roses
All withered on her walls
I step into her parlor
With tears falling from my eyes
As precious memories carry me
To the place my heart resides
I see her in her former splendor
Dressed in satin and old lace
Crystal chandeliers reflect the light
And caress her lovely face
French doors open to the fields
Where once I used to play
Make believe in lands of dreams
On sunny summer days
Silky curled beside the hearth
Purring softly as she sleeps
I caress her so tenderly
As my heart falls at her feet
The air is filled with music
As grandma strokes the keys
The aunts and uncles all join in
And sing in harmony
We take our places at the table
Laid out in fine bone china
We bow our heads and thank the Lord
For all the ties that bind us
Grandpa carves the giant turkey
Grandma brings the platters
We fill our plates with food and mirth
And an endless stream of chatter
And when the moon hangs overhead
In a soft and velvet sky
One by one we take our leave
With hugs kisses and goodbye’s.
I love you Grandma
I love you Grandpa
Rings into the night
And once again in my world
Everything is right
I close the door behind me
I say my last farewell
As I hear her take her final breath
In the trill of a whippoorwill
~~~~~
Author: Elaine George
My first entry on Poetrysoup - Feb. 2, 2006
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