(based on a true person, but it actually was her grandkids that left a note with some marbles and a copy of a 1985 magazine!)
I loved my house when I first saw it
The merriest one since my youth
An old council relic with ceilings much too high
And walls that encaptured the truth
An aura of colour zoomed quickly
I remember my son saying so
That he saw yellow ribbons being chased by some blue ones
And land where the lush lawn did grow.
My door never stopped being opened
More children than I'd cared to count
My back garden filled with a choir of young manics
Whose actions were hard to surmount
As we grew, we all took on new features.
Me with an expanding waist.
My two boys grew stubble, my daughter more beauty
And their father more lines on his face.
But the laughter continued to echo
Through the troubles and turmoils ahead.
More music a blasting and lasting a lifetime
Healing our hearts if they bled.
Over time I heard that Mrs.Mackie
Predecessor to our little place
Was the neighbourhood Florence, a helper relentless
An angel in tartan and lace
So when fixing some floorboards in our room
We were stunned to find what was beneath.
A beautiful face in a picture frame, beaded
To we strangers, a trusted bequeath
A discoloured note, tinged with sepia
From old 'Grannie Mackie' as signed
Asking us to take good care of her old house
For she left love and contentment behind
We've done that, in the simplest of manners
(Though there's some things she 'don't wanna' know!)
In our cluttersome dwelling, with more laughter than teardrops
It's more cherished than she'll ever know.
***********************************************
So, what's Here then...?
15 comments:
I just met with a writer in St. Joseph, Missouri who is writing about the renovation of their house, which is 100 or so years old. The previous owner was a child born into the house, and spent all of her life there until she could no longer take care of the huge house. This writer and her husband met with the elderly historian, who was so grateful that her home from the past was being restored. She recently died, but probably was relieved that her house was in good hands.
Your post reminded me of this...
Oh, I love this! She knew her house was in good hands, I'm sure!
Reminds me of a very old house we lived in when I was a child. Fond moments passed to the new families.
I was pleasantly surprised to see this happen in the place I now live. The previous owners left all kinds of things for me to find.
This makes me so happy about the beautiful face in the portrait.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Sioux - thank you so much. It really is a touching comment. Resting in piece is the ultimate goodbye most humans deserve. I'd loved to have met Granny Mackie, too. Tess's beautiful buy was the perfect doppelganger in my mind's eye!
Debby - Thank you. We'll not let the old one down!
Reflections - Finding those little trinkets must have been priceless! I got all gooey and protective over a few marbles...!
Thank you Kay - I shall pop over to your blog shortly!
smiles. this is wonderful story telling...and what a treasure to be found...bet she was a wonderful soul....
That sounds like a real home!.
You've made a happy and cheerful poem out of the prompt, very nice indeed.
Great rhyme and an equally great story ...
...very touching write, here... i always love roaming in houses with many histories unfold... like the one that belonged to our Grandparents... every time i'll go in there and walk the wooden stairs, touch the window sill... there's always a deep feeling of a call from the past... that's weird yet an amazing experience... thank you for the poem.. i enjoyed it.(:
Brightest blessings.
~Kelvin
But the laughter continued to echo ... and... more laughter than tears.
Yup, I think the original owner is happy with that.
Solid verse-spinning.
Wonderful memories.
Well told. I bought my first house from an elderly lady who'd lived there for decades and came across several items that surfaced in a minor renovation - but long after she had passed. I remember wanting to tell her I'd care for them.
Awww this is a very touching story I truly enjoyed it =)
More thanks to you fellow Magpies!
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