A Big Old House
Driving down the country road
blowing up a cloud of dust
past a big old house
up on that hill with a tree
leaning into gloom and dusk
Glancing up she's there again
standing at the window
watching time go by
through fading curtains
might be a lonely old widow
The fog swirls up around the car
I slow down to see ahead
that old house
left behind in dust and fog
rounds another wriggly bend
That car's now gone down the bends
I watch through faded curtains
as silence falls
like dew on the grass
on another night of misty rains
Closed off another room today
memories no longer seen
all fading away
this last room will do me
reflecting on the life that has been
I love that painting by the sea
seen over Gran's old cup
with Bushell's tea
remembering the beach
where I played in the sand with pup
The boys out in the thundering surf
and Mum watching keen
to keep em safe
from surf and shark
and rips that lurk beneath
Sun fell and something happened
a baby came in pain
born to strife
adopted to a family
I had to wear the shame
Many dreams died one day
when a tree fell on Dad
Mum lingered on
"You're a good girl"
but I didn't feel that glad
When Mother faded into time
older brother went away
sent a post card
never heard again
left alone to mind me day
after day in this big old country house
rooms jammed with memories
waiting for the call
as days fade into years
as mists roll through the valleys
Driving back from a day in town
flashing lights and siren crying
flames flickering
smoke rising among stars
that big old house was dying
Stood watching flaming fingers
leaping out the window
and wondered
that face by faded curtains
as roof collapsed in a showery glow
I asked the fireman what he knew
"That house was long empty."
blackened stone walls
now lurk against the night
burnt out of its hive of memories
Sad in heart I drive home slow
from a ruin of black scars
where silence fell
by the swing in the tree
where smoke blew away to the stars
Jaqi
Bluh
Sunday
21
July
2019
Driving down the country road
blowing up a cloud of dust
past a big old house
up on that hill with a tree
leaning into gloom and dusk
Glancing up she's there again
standing at the window
watching time go by
through fading curtains
might be a lonely old widow
The fog swirls up around the car
I slow down to see ahead
that old house
left behind in dust and fog
rounds another wriggly bend
That car's now gone down the bends
I watch through faded curtains
as silence falls
like dew on the grass
on another night of misty rains
Closed off another room today
memories no longer seen
all fading away
this last room will do me
reflecting on the life that has been
I love that painting by the sea
seen over Gran's old cup
with Bushell's tea
remembering the beach
where I played in the sand with pup
The boys out in the thundering surf
and Mum watching keen
to keep em safe
from surf and shark
and rips that lurk beneath
Sun fell and something happened
a baby came in pain
born to strife
adopted to a family
I had to wear the shame
Many dreams died one day
when a tree fell on Dad
Mum lingered on
"You're a good girl"
but I didn't feel that glad
When Mother faded into time
older brother went away
sent a post card
never heard again
left alone to mind me day
after day in this big old country house
rooms jammed with memories
waiting for the call
as days fade into years
as mists roll through the valleys
Driving back from a day in town
flashing lights and siren crying
flames flickering
smoke rising among stars
that big old house was dying
Stood watching flaming fingers
leaping out the window
and wondered
that face by faded curtains
as roof collapsed in a showery glow
I asked the fireman what he knew
"That house was long empty."
blackened stone walls
now lurk against the night
burnt out of its hive of memories
Sad in heart I drive home slow
from a ruin of black scars
where silence fell
by the swing in the tree
where smoke blew away to the stars
Jaqi
Bluh
Sunday
21
July
2019
NOTE ~ Driving along the country road, many empty houses are seen, and one wonders, what are the memories? And then time takes them all away, like a tree that melts in the forest, for new dreams to spring up into life.
