In long-ago rooms, reeking cigarettes and stale booze,
a small child held onto a vision of peace:
a cottage with sunny rooms and picket-fence,
where freedom dwelled.
Three times, in those long-ago years,
midst all of the moves through temporary rooms,
she made a home, wrapped it around her heart.
They glow, now, in memory, those places
where she created sanctuary, and peace,
spoke with nature spirits,
and lived the soul-deep joy of finding home.
for Sumana's prompt at Midweek Motif: Vision
and Kerry's prompt at Real Toads: to write a poem about "Long-Ago Rooms" in twelve lines or less.
In the midst of moving 33 times in my nomadic life, three times, the homes were mine. They glow like lamps, in memory.
Picket fences are cliche perhaps but I have always adored them - especially with a flower garden and maybe a dog or two :) Loved this.
ReplyDeleteYes, space works like that for us who acknowledge the importance of this second skin.
ReplyDeleteyes, that is the quest, finding home. Beautiful poem.
ReplyDeletethe feeling of being home is one of the most satisfying... lovely poem Sherry
ReplyDeleteworld (weary) travelers have the hearts of gold, yes? and carry it with them, always, no matter what walls are made of, or situation, place - perhaps this is the truth in the beauty of hope and promise - from a current song, "wherever is your heart is my home" - in this case, wherever is my heart is my home" would be most apropos
ReplyDeleteThree times lucky ... but she made her own luck!
ReplyDeleteI love this, and can relate as we moved often when I was a child. I'm so happy she had her own occasional place.
ReplyDeleteI finally have that now, and have become, quite selfishly, a hermit..
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
A child's vision of peace.. like that!
ReplyDeleteI can feel her vision of peace. So much longing is here & how wonderful that she has it at last. So beautiful Sherry.
ReplyDeleteI really like "made a home-wraooed it around her heart."
ReplyDeleteAll kids need a 'home' where the can have "sanctuary, and peace."
ReplyDelete..
Checking back I only counted 11 for me: what itchy feet you must have had! I'd still go back to one or two...but couldn't afford them anymore. I have gone back to a few to check but those have changed dramatically and looked not like the home I remember with access to the rivers, woods and fields now restricted.
ReplyDeleteHome is the best place..you convey that so well here
ReplyDeleteAn excellent merge of the two prompts, Sherry. I can smell the 'long-ago rooms, reeking cigarettes and stale booze'! I also recognise that vision!
ReplyDeleteimpressive and touching
ReplyDeleteSometimes we have to make the home our spirits need within our hearts. You convey so much in these few lines, Sherry. So much of what was and wasn't in the houses, versus the home of the heart.
ReplyDeleteYou merged the two prompts so beautifully, Sherry!💞 Especially love; "They glow, now, in memory."
ReplyDeleteThe heart at home glows lovingly! We are sojourners here...
ReplyDeleteWe both have our secret sanctuaries in nature, Sherry! I too, had those smells as a child and am glad to escape them.
ReplyDeleteLuv the vision of home she carried in her heart.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful write Sherry
Much🌼love
I am so glad you found peace sanctuary and freedom Sherry, your dreams realised.
ReplyDeleteI am certain you have a home in many people's hearts.
Hugs!
Anna :o]
You made me feel sad. You are settled now near the beach.You can shut the door and enjoy the luxury of quiet your thoughts dreams writing and pot plants and no one can upset you.
ReplyDelete