Where the Heart Resides

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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

Copyright © | Year Posted 2006



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12
Date: 8/22/2020 12:21:00 PM
Thanks for sharing this poem. It is most touching. Blessings.
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Elaine George
Date: 8/23/2020 7:39:00 AM
Thank you for dropping by and for your kind comments, Curtis...Much appreciated. ~ Elaine
Date: 8/7/2016 6:30:00 AM
Doing the rounds this week of first poems posted. so glad to be able to read this gem of one of my all time favourite poets..
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George   Avatar
Elaine George
Date: 8/13/2016 11:34:00 PM
Thank you so much for stopping by, Harry...and for your very kind comments. I hope you are enjoying a great summer. I have been busy the last few months working on a writing project for a photographer which was passed on to me by the Canadian Authors Association. It is almost complete, so I am hoping to return to the soup soon. By for now, Elaine
Date: 4/1/2014 8:45:00 PM
I read the beginning, and what a beginning it was!...
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Ryerson Avatar
Tim Ryerson
Date: 4/1/2014 8:56:00 PM
My grandparents had a place similar to this where we used to spend our childhood summers. To this day I can remember every part of that house inside and outside...
Date: 8/13/2010 6:59:00 AM
I am feeling the urge to go back and read poetry from earlier writing of my favorite poets today and this is the one I opened of yours Lainie. I truly enjoyed reading it today and it is one of your best. Love, Carol
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Date: 1/24/2010 2:32:00 PM
wow, your first entry ever. That is one powerful poem, lady. I just love personification and you do an excellent job with it. I still like the violin better for some reason, but this is right up there very close to that one!! I love the way you bring out all the feelings of nostalgia too. I am now going to check out Autumn of my life. And then get outta here. haha. (Oh, btw, Love of a Gentleman does not come up when I do the search. Can you tell me the page number it is on? andrea
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Date: 10/16/2009 12:19:00 PM
Love this one. Sad to see a house go down and well as a family as we once knew it. Keep writing. Sara
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Date: 5/3/2009 2:07:00 PM
Nice work and best of luck in the next round...Raul
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Date: 3/31/2009 12:45:00 PM
Dear Elaine, congratulations on having three poems make the semi-finals. It is a tribute to your talent. Good luck in the finals my friend. Karen
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Date: 12/21/2008 11:18:00 AM
Dear Elaine - Congratulations on your WIN in Nigel & Christie's contest! Peace always, John
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Date: 12/20/2008 8:21:00 AM
Beautiful poem, and the last two lines are particularly touching. Congratulations on your win! ~Juliane
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Date: 12/19/2008 1:05:00 PM
Two featured writes and now a contest winner too. This is an impressive poem. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas my friend. Karen
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Date: 12/19/2008 9:07:00 AM
A few tears are appropriate here.Lovely, lovely. Congrats on your success with it. BG
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Date: 12/19/2008 5:01:00 AM
Congratulations dear Lainie on your win in Nigel and Christie's contest. This poem goes straight to the soul with beauty beyond compare. Love, Shar
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Date: 12/19/2008 3:48:00 AM
Just an amazing poem, from a beautiful and amazing lady, congrats hun, on this winning poem. :) love always, Kristin Merry Christmas!
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Date: 12/19/2008 12:11:00 AM
Wonderful use of personification here. A very deep poem in its own. Congratulations on your success. Love, Chitra
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Date: 12/18/2008 11:37:00 PM
Congrats on your success in Christie's contest.Elaine.Rgds Brian & thanks for your welcome comments
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Date: 12/18/2008 8:38:00 PM
Elaine like Sharon you are in a class all your own - Your style is like no other - Congratulations on placing in the contest - Merry Christmas & God Bless, MJ
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Date: 12/18/2008 6:52:00 PM
This was so beautiful and so well deserved to be among the winning poems. Congratulations ! Carrie
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Date: 12/9/2008 12:28:00 PM
Congratulations Lainie on a most beautiful featured write of the week. Warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday season. Love, Shar
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Date: 12/8/2008 7:37:00 PM
Congratulations Lainie on the re-featuring of your poem. God Bless. Vince
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Date: 12/8/2008 12:29:00 AM
Congrats on your feature poem this week Elaine.Rgds Brian
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Date: 12/7/2008 5:20:00 PM
Dear Elaine - A rhapsody I hear in everything you write! Congratulations on your featured poem this week! Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday season. Peace always, John
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Date: 12/7/2008 4:41:00 PM
Elaine, What a meaningful poem you have composed here for your readers to grasp as it drips with warm emotions. Congratulations for being featured. Wonderful Poem... MPK
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Date: 12/7/2008 3:53:00 PM
I read and commented on this one before, but had to congratualte you on another selection well deserved. Merry Christmas, Lainie. Love, daver
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Date: 12/7/2008 3:27:00 PM
This is lovely, I'm so glad I could have a chance to read it in the features this week. Congratulations, Elaine! It almost makes me cry, so beautiful! ~ Carrie
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