Daily Post Discover Challenge: The Empty Nest

 

I cannot tell you how delighted I am about the Daily Post Discover Challenge this week.  For the past year, I have been writing the Portraits Poetry Series and have amassed about 70 poems so far.  This is poetry that I write, inspired by a particular image – and I write the poem around what I see or imagine  in the image.  I choose not to show the image – so that the words can paint the picture alone.

 

I have recently started sharing them here on my blog – so for this challenge I will share the next poem in the series.  I hope you enjoy it.

 

The Empty Nest

The house is empty now
the floorboards creek
in the silence
the stillness
so quiet,
I can hear
my own breaths
and I mourn the loss
of noise.
I walk these halls
slowly soaking it all in
haunted by the shadows
of what was before
these empty spaces
where toys were strewn
and laughter rang out
where love and purpose
were the cause of the moment.
I can still see my boy
in faded vision
legs crossed on the floor
row upon row of cars at his feet
he hovers intently and plays
contentment shines on his face.
I can see my daughter
where memories fade,
pink tutu around her waist
and she quietly pirouettes
across the floor
graceful movements
until she falls to the floor
in fits of laughter
a smile
a smile
a smile
yes – I remember this
My life is made of smiles now
of deep reminiscence
and I hardly know
whether what I remember
is real – or constructed
edited to perfection
but I miss those moments
as I sit in this old house
where the floorboards creak
and the sounds of yesterday
echo in the silence.

(c) Sumyanna 2016