My Childhood Home
I strolled the lanes, streets
and byways of my childhood home, and
like echoes of my past,
I heard the sound of children’s laughter,
yet it was empty, long gone in spirit,
and those houses and shops I knew so well,
transformed,
and my recognition lay wanting.
It stirred me so, this feeling of past, of loss,
a gnawing at my gut that all was gone,
and like butterflies caressing air in flight,
my memories sang a distant song,
and I realised what I had was no longer,
lost in memories
I had to fish from my darkness.
Like a flood of joy and tears memories wafted
in and out of cognizance,
and the joy of youth quickly turned to age
the parents I had lost, their pain, their struggle,
and me now turning into the light of decay;
as I stood before the house that no longer was,
I saw life in movement, just as it should.
What we leave behind, the soul holds,
and what we endured the soul knows,
so we walk paths, familiar and unfamiliar,
knowing that when all is done,
when life transforms to other realms,
we keep only the worth of what we experienced,
and that is the measure of who we are.
Tony DeLorger © 2016
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Tony, your emotive verse lights the embers of my heart. It brings back to me my childhood home on a small suburban farm. Memories of the past linger ever strong. The last time I visited the little farm it had been all removed and replaced by a huge shopping center, the whole neighborhood of childhood joys was gone, yet it was there in my heart and memories. I did some quick calculating and found one store that was where our old woodshed would have been and where I spent many hours in there in my own little imaginary world of dolls and teddy bears. This is a wonderfully penned memoir, I loved reading it. Thank you for sharing this part of your life. X
Thanks Phyllis, it is such a shame that change robs us of our beginnings, but thankfully memories lighten our hearts and we can still hold onto those days. Glad you appreciated the work. Take care.
Wonderful post, Tony. I once returned to Chatswood in Sydney to revisit a home we used to lie in and a school I attended. I found the school but even though I walked from home to school and back every day for two years, I could not find the house. Maybe it was pulled down and something else built there. It was kind of sad though.
Know what you mean John. I too lived in Willoughby and worked in Chatswood; funny. Yes returning to where we used to live is nearly always a disappointment, as things change. Glad you related my friend.
So beautiful Tony..Made me think of my home and childhood..Sometimes it is so sad to think that the people and places have changed so much.. guess a part of it will always remain unchanged in our memories..Thank you so much for sharing this heartfelt write..
Glad you appreciated it Anjana. And regardless of religion I wish you and your family love and joy in the season and a healthy and prosperous new year. So pleased you joined us here and for your friendship. Take care
Most heartwarming poetry. Brought back childhood memories.
Thanks Rasma, glad you related and enjoyed . Cheers!
The environment adapts just as life should as well. This was a beautiful piece about holding on to what we deem as important, and like you mentioned, life moves on and so should we. Great piece Tony. ~Paul