The Old House Where No One Lives

There’s an old house that sits down the road from me

The trees are more tall and the flowers have grown even more

With it’s weathered boards, echoes and each sweet memory

I walk past it often and still think of happy days like before

When we sit on that old porch swing and drank iced tea

Listening to her stories became abundant food for my soul

Or watching her weave on her loom will last an eternity

An experience by far worth more than any money or gold

Those beautiful roses she loved are still booming each year

The mornings still finds them covered in glistening dew

Remembering is easy when a legacy is left so revere

I stop, look and listen every time I walk through

I loved raking her leaves and walking on her foot bridge

Or sitting by the fireplace on a cold winter’s evening

She and the old house sure did share, such a privilege

On any given day the warmth was always stirring

So many years of growing, I watched her hair turn white

Her hands grew tired and her voice became low

Soon the house would be empty and dark as the night

 What a beautiful old place filled with memories to hold

When I think of so much joy, the old house draws me in

I walk by it often and cherish the love that it gives

Her soft voice still whispers, welcome my little friend

At the old house where no one lives

© Susie Swanson, 2014

I wrote this one in Memory of my sweet and dear neighbor. She lived to be in her 90's and left such a hole in our hearts. She was a wonderful soul to all and everyone loved her.She taught Weaving classes for many years out of her home and at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Her Looms are still on display today at our Historic Museum ... Her mother was a well known Midwife in our area. She delivered my mother among so many others... She taught school for many years at the very same school my dad went to. The building is the pic on my new book Echoes Of Time.
 She's been gone quite a few years but her house (the pic above) stills sits within walking distance of my house. It's such a Landmark in the community and surrounding areas. I have passed by so many times over the years and it always warms my heart to no end. So many memories left behind, it feels like she's still there either sitting on the porch or waiting to open the door to a little, freckled face girl that visited her so often and even her son after she grew up... He has his own memories today, especially raking her leaves every Fall.   I'm sure there are many more that stepped upon that little porch and sit in that little swing .. She left a lasting impression on us all, especially the children that grew up with their sweet memories of a very wise woman that taught them so much.  God Bless her for leaving such a legacy behind. We all love and miss you so much Miss Wilma.