JUSTBLEU's Challenge. THE EMPTY HOUSE

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SPIRIT
Senior Member

since 2002-12-29

Posts 1745
California Desert

0 posted 2003-04-16 12:41 PM

The Empty House

I am sitting in this empty house,
Goodbyes have been said and everyone has left.
Taking with them the empty and still dirty dishes
Of their greatly appreciated donations.
I am left alone in the shadows of the darkening room.

Momma’s funeral was held today,
She joined our daddy, happily I’m sure.
I sit in her maple rocking chair, sipping on Cold Duck,
And eating the crumbs from a Pyrex bowl
That held the Cool Ranch Doritos.
So many memories in this house,
And I am soaking them all in - hungrily.

The grandfather clock is silent,
It should have chimed on the hour.
Momma always kept it wound,
I am very hesitant to take on the job.
Two vases of pink roses, taken from the grave site
Adorn the mantel shelf, filled with mementos.
I smile at the picture of my sister and me
Framed in a gold frame and matted.
On the mat, notated in Momma’s pretty handwriting
It says ‘My two girls - 10 and 2’.

I close my eyes
I swear I can hear my momma singing.
I remember when I was so little
She would tell me she was just a country girl,
As she listened to her favorite singers
Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty and Eddie Arnold.
How she made me laugh when she shouted ‘Yee Ha’
Then she would sweep me of my feet
And dance around the room, with me in her arms.
Then she unceremoniously would plonk me down
In her rocking chair, saying ‘You ain’t seen nothing yet’,
Then of she would be whirling and twirling
And laughing, whilst I would clap happily
At the magnificent floor show.

My eyes are closed still
Tears are gently creeping down
My cheeks, but not tears of sorrow,
But of realization that I made a mistake,
This house isn’t empty, far from it
As long as I hold Momma in my heart,
In my memory - this house will never be...empty.

I be me BUT who does me be?

[This message has been edited by SPIRIT (04-16-2003 12:48 AM).]

Justbleu
Member Elite

since 1999-08-31

Posts 3329
Oregon, Originally From Alaska :)

1 posted 2003-04-16 12:48 PM

This is really cool...and creative. Your style that I've seen before really shines through in this. It's amazing what a handful of words that mean something to one person can mean something totally different to another. It's really cool. Thank You for answering my challenge. This was a treat. Enjoyed!!!!
Bridgette

"Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown

Flower
Member

since 2003-03-15

Posts 240
California

2 posted 2003-04-16 10:26 AM

I just went in and read the challenge, to use all these words "My girls;yee-ha;10and2;cool ranch doritoes;country girl;you ain't seen nothing yet;sweep me off my feet;grandfather clock;rose(s)" Looks like you got them all covered. Entertaining!

Love reading all these great writes.
I write not!

Joyce Johnson

Member Rara Avis

since 2001-03-10

Posts 9912
Washington State

3 posted 2003-04-16 03:07 PM

I haven't seen the challenge, Spirit, but Your poem is magnificant. Love, Joyce

SPIRIT
Senior Member

since 2002-12-29

Posts 1745
California Desert

4 posted 2003-04-16 05:18 PM

Thanks! It was a fun challenge.

lorenlynn
Member

since 2003-01-27

Posts 203
California Beaches

5 posted 2003-04-19 02:39 AM

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