Thursday, May 29, 2014

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. 


21 comments:

  1. This is a very special poem Susie, written from the depth of your heart. What a wonderful lady Miss Wilma must have been!

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  2. What a great poem--and memorial to your sweet neighbor... Love it... As I read the poem and looked at the old house, I thought to myself that it's too bad that the house can't talk. That house would really have stories and stories to tell, wouldn't it????

    Thanks.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  3. You were surely blessed to have had her as a friend. I wonder, do you sit with little ones too? You have so many stories to pass on to children.

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    1. Thanks Charlotte. No I don't, ain't got the time and mines all grown up. If They'd take the time to listen, you know how that goes.

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  4. OH this went straight to my heart on many levels, dear Susie.

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  5. Oh, how I would have loved to visit there as a child. It looks like such a sweet, well-loved house. Really sweet poem, too, Susie! You have a gift for making those memories come alive.

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  6. Very good poem Susie. It brings back so many memories for me also. Our son even shares his memories of this dear lady and the old house where no one lives.

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  7. Very very nice. It brings back so many...

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  8. Thank you so much. It sure is and I hope they never tear it down.

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  9. What a touching and heartwarming poem, Susie. Your neighbor sounds like she was a true friend and a very special person. Thank you for all your sweet comments on my blog. They are greatly appreciated. Hope you have a nice weekend! :)

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  10. Susie, I know what you are saying about a hole in your heart. I long to see the old people , that are all gone now. Our parents, and family members. Some of our childhood neighbors, our parents friends, teachers, church people. and town's people. I miss them.....some I did not even know their names just remembering seeing their face almost all my life. I hope when I go to heaven I see them again. Blessings to you Susie, you touch my heart so deeply at times with your poetry. xoxo,Susie

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    1. Thank you Susie. There's not any of the older generation left around here anymore and I miss all of them so much. I believe it's like that everywhere. Blessings to you as well.

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  11. Sounds like Miss Wilma was a wonderful woman. This is a great poem and touched me very deeply. I love old houses. If they could only talk, what stories they would tell. You've done a marvelous job writing this poem!

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