The Side Porch
I remember the side porch of our sturdy old house
Brick, ten foot ceilings, crown moldings, hardwoods floors, upstairs and down
Thick walls. Sound didn't carry. Wind didn't shake it. Rain didn't flood it
The piano room had a striped chair that faced a door that led to the side porch
which was southern style, on the shaded breezeway between our house and the next
Always cooler there than the summer day would hint
I remember what it felt like to walk barefoot on the porch in spring
My feet touching the cool red tiles, which were dusted yellow and green by pollen spores
and the bottom of my feet would be dirty and dusty when I came back in the house.
There was a hurricane once.
Fallen trees smashed cars and some houses; large oaks upturned in naked violence.
Our house lost a few bricks from the chimney, up top. But otherwise didn't shake in the wind.
I remember there was a tall pine tree I could see out my window, behind the back yard.
After the hurricane, that tree was gone.
But not the house. Not the house.
Brick, ten foot ceilings, crown moldings, hardwoods floors, upstairs and down
Thick walls. Sound didn't carry. Wind didn't shake it. Rain didn't flood it
The piano room had a striped chair that faced a door that led to the side porch
which was southern style, on the shaded breezeway between our house and the next
Always cooler there than the summer day would hint
I remember what it felt like to walk barefoot on the porch in spring
My feet touching the cool red tiles, which were dusted yellow and green by pollen spores
and the bottom of my feet would be dirty and dusty when I came back in the house.
There was a hurricane once.
Fallen trees smashed cars and some houses; large oaks upturned in naked violence.
Our house lost a few bricks from the chimney, up top. But otherwise didn't shake in the wind.
I remember there was a tall pine tree I could see out my window, behind the back yard.
After the hurricane, that tree was gone.
But not the house. Not the house.
Yours,
EL
1 comment:
So i know you didnt write this poem, but i just wanted to say that you are a brilliant writer. Your blog fascinates me, you are very clever and insightful. I enjoy reading it so keep writing! Love you Em and miss you like crazy! and hope your Birthday was as amazing as you are!
With much love,
Craw
Post a Comment