Trees form a jawline,
a hometown profile,
which looks the same
‘cept fields are cemeteries
and four gray sky walls
form a chain-link fence.
I dig for lost compositions,
buried under the holly bush
for safe-keeping,
but the crepe myrtle trees peel
childhood poetry which
drape me like hotel sheets,
thin and itchy.
I climb into the top bunk
on concrete steps,
which now lack railing,
and ask permission to enter
a place once hoarded
as home.
Cloudy, gray hair, am I dreaming?
Time has made my life
an Impressionistic painting.
A colorful umbrella behind
a watering wagon,
which no longer black and white
is most deceiving.
© 2022 | K.Hartless
Yard Sale of Thoughts 
This is a lovely write. These lines are particularly beautiful
“childhood poetry which
drape me like hotel sheets,
thin and itchy.
I climb into the top bunk
on concrete steps,
which now lack railing,”
Thank you again Trâm. 🦋🤗🦋
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Thank you, Joni. Home doesn’t stay the same and in a way, that’s tough to see.
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I fear we can never go back; the gateway to my childhood closed sometime in 2013 when I could no longer access my inner child; this is a very moving, evocative poem with a marvellous painting to accompany it; the most moving song about home to me is ‘Feels Like Home’ from ‘The Notebook’ ; you probably know it —
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I don’t know if I do,
so I’m headed over to
check that one out. But before I go, I’m going to reach over and tickle
your inner child. Sleeping since 2013. It’s time for that bubbly boy to wake up. Thank you for this comment. I’ve been so utterly exhausted, which is really no excuse, but I’m using it anyway. 😁
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good to see you’re bouncing back, K — and you’re right: it’s time for that ‘bubbly boy’ to awake 🙂
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It’s a weekend revival followed by the next week of battering waves…:) but, I’ll take what I can get. Oh, now that I’ve tagged you, you may have cooties. 😂
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This is a lovely write, K. I enjoyed your language selection much, and the essence I received of being ensconced in nature, even when among concrete lined walkways and steps. Happy weekend, my friend. 💜
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Thank you kindly, Jeff. It’s the cusp of my favorite season here, and it seems a period that always reminds me of my childhood. My goal this fall is to also take some new walks. 💜
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You’re welcome, K. Always. Ah, there is something to this time of year that always feels refreshing. New walks sounds grand. May you meet this goal via some gorgeous new walks, my friend. 💜
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Never go back!
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If only it were that easy.
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💜
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Beautifully immersive descriptions here, K! 😀 Those individual snapshots of nostalgia really pull the reader in ❤
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Thank you, Tom. That painting was in my childhood home. One of the few art pieces and I remember imagining myself in the scene a million times. I really enjoyed your King story today; the tide tester one. Brilliant.
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That’s wonderful! Really kind of you to say ❤ Hope Canute's a decent role model for fawning yes-men everywhere 😉
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That scene on the beach. Indelible.
One for readers to carry always and so you’ve created a new legend. 💜
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what lovely words
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Thank you, Beth. 😊
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Poignantly captured – should we ever go back?
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