We grew up in a world
that knew no borders
no gates to separate
the neighbors,
just miles and miles
of blue skies.
A beautiful vista
with dreams of green
as far as the eye can see
and views of the mighty river
meandering through the landscape.
Rows and rows of corn
stand in the warmth of the sun
an invisible barrier
and an impossible maze
to lose a wandering baseball
in the midst of a summer game.
At night, the landscape softens
and loses its glow – a new presence
filled with the radiance
of night moon against darkened sky
deer quietly graze in the yard,
a delinquent raccoon
roots through the garbage
and the hoot of owls
fill the night with their solemn serenade
while dogs bark at shadows
all beneath the light of the summer moon.
It takes a while to get here
paved road in the front
climbs steep ascent
through forest trees and gurgling stream
sparsely scattered houses
are barely shadows between the trees.
Nature is in full bloom with every step
there’s a gravel road out the back
not yet inhabited,
it is quiet and full of secrets
a treasure for the adventurous heart.
We crawl in the grass beneath the trees
curl our toes and lie beneath its shade
for the day is long and seductive.
How I long for the memories of this place
where my dreams reside
soaring above the clouds
on a warm summer’s day
but now I travel a different road
and things before do slowly fade.
Now I am left, overshadowed
by row upon row of houses
perhaps the same lineage
(with not much imagination)
quickly paved to make way for more
where everything seems the same
and any trace of nature
slinks in dead of night – for fear.
There are no whistling winds
to soothe the heart
no trees to lay beneath and dream
no cricket’s call or hoot of passing owl –
they are all lost to me now.
But even here,
we must find romance
and hold on to yesterday’s dream.
© Sumyanna 2015
I wish I could truly share pictures of my backyard when I was growing up. Sadly, I have none – so I have tried to recreate it in words, just as I remember it.
Submitted for The Daily Post Prompt: gate
Beautiful photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
Sumyanna Writes 
I can connect with this poem, but that’s not the reason I say your poetry is exquisite; it’s because no other word will do.
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You are so incredibly sweet Jane. I hope you are doing well. We went off for a bit to the mountains for hiking, fresh air, and relaxation. It was amazing. Now that we’re back, school starts on Monday. Have to get the chains ready to tie me to the computer 😉
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I look forward to seeing the mountains reflected in your beautiful poetry 🙂
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Soon, I promise! 🙂
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Such a beautifully vivid poem! … you know I don’t think I have any pictures of my childhood backyard either. Sad, the things we now miss that we never thought we would.
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Thank you very much Leigha. I sometimes wish we had the wisdom of our later years when we were younger, only to remember to ask the questions we have always wished to ask when we had the opportunity and to remember the things we now find cherished memories.
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You’re welcome. Very true!
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So beautiful, such a vision! x
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Thank you very much!
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