Memories

The cold sheets of rain 

Pattered on my 

Slight umbrella,

As I stood outside the

Old folks' house 

That grandparents

Owned 

And generations

 Stayed in!

I left this place 

As a child, 

Came back to 

Memories 

As an middle aged adult!

 didn't need occult 

To see how the house 

Was haunted by 

Memories 

Of many generations! 

The room at the top of the tiles ,

Opened out of dark rooms,

creaking corridors ,

Holding out

The promise of 

Spectres 

And reluctant ghosts ,

Too exhausted 

To try to frighten anyone!

It held the chatter and 

Patter of many feet ,

Agonies and ecstasies 

Of growing up ,

Dictator guardians 

Spinster aunt's ,

Maternal and paternal,

an older generation ,

Refusing to be in the now! 

Sudden deaths ,

From heights of riches 

To starting from scratch! 

 helpless Decisions,

Following

The twists of fate ,

 taking you out of 

Comfort 

And putting you on the 

Wayside ,

with hunger 

For company 

And grim reality 

As a bedmate!

The rain beat down 

On my useless umbrella,

The spray on my face 

Tasting salty 

With the tears 

Of yesterday's dreams!

I had stood 

At that window ,

A lifetime ago 

Watching the rain ,

Beat down on 

nostalgic tiles ,

The Spray of rain 

Wasn't salty then ,

Just fresh with 

Promises of tomorrow!

The house was shut ,

Tired and old ,

Tomorrow they would

Raise it to the ground 

And build ten apartments ,

Four storeys high!

Would the spirits 

Get closer to heaven 

I wonder!

Heaven and hell 

Is here my dear ,

You know the drill! 

The house whispered,

A window banged shut ,

The hinges rattling.

Turning weary feet 

Away from a past 

That held so much 

But didn't last!

Life goes on, 

Housed in memories,

Till we go home 

To the One!