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Susan Fox Poem
Empty House
Weather beaten, sun-baked
Rickety, rackety siding,
Falling apart, worn of age
Tucked away midst bushes and brambles,
Rattling windows and dusty ledges
Battled the cold wintry breeze.
The sun porch protected the old frame
From harsh prairie winds and snow.
The wood box inside the porch was always full,
Now empty, overcome by cob-webs and moths,
Painted walls, seasoned with smoke
From the wood-burning stove and pipes
Rays of sunlight now light the room.
I seem to hear the sound of a kettle sputtering
On a well-stoked fire,
Mingled with the fresh aroma of coffee.
Creaky, scuffed up old carpet marks
Ah, Sunday gatherings, Christmas,
Dad read the Bible round the family circle.
Sunflower seeds fell lavishly, roasted and all!
Games –“fruit basket upset!”
They dashed for mom’s round chair,
I remember the pile of spokes!
Glued and fixed it sat once again,
Restored, by the old bouker stove -
The warmth, I feel it yet!
Glancing over the threshold where the kerosene lamp
Once sat, casting a dim ray of light.
An old bed post, a torn mattress –
Only cast a haunting shadow of yesterday.
The living room carpet, now well worn,
The old wooden rocker in the corner –
Mom’s oasis from tiring years,
Upstairs, the rooms, the noise – laughter,
Squeaky stairs – how well I remember!
All these – a barrage of memories dear,
In the empty house.
Susan Fox
Copyright © Susan Fox | Year Posted 2018
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Details |
Susan Fox Poem
These words were written for a handicap brother who lived in a group home, basking in the sun, swinging in his hammock as he coped with his limits until he passed away.
Silence
Untangled, unseen matter
Quiet, still and numb
Frozen, mute with pain
Is silence around me.
Not a flitter, not a chirp
Nor twitching of limbs
Motionless trees over-shadow me
As my hammock swings.
Clouds gently steel across the sky
Leaving velvety blue protruding,
Through soft woolly cotton balls
I gaze the Heavens dreaming
Slumbering lazily, in my hammock
Entertained by a million thoughts
Sad, lonely, fearful struggles
Bouncing through my aching heart.
Come softly, soothe these nagging fears.
Shatter the tumult within
Come dispel the silent flurry
While my hammock swings.
Copyright © Susan Fox | Year Posted 2018
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