End of the Line
Grandma's house at the end of the line in Norwood, LA |
There is a
place at the end of the line,
Where the
train track stops, as well as time.
Home to few,
more ghosts than any,
Forgotten
ways and days are many.
The green is
lush, the air is thick,
Laced with
ivy-covered, crumbling brick.
Hundreds of
years of lives and lore,
So many of
mine have gone before.
The best of
me has come from those,
Who rest
here in eternal throes.
The backbone
of my family tree,
With
branches stretching out to sea.
Across these
quiet hills and dales,
Where
plantations reigned, then came to fail.
Lazy bees buzz as we stagger in the heat,
The freshly
dug grave looms at our feet.
Saying
goodbye to another of the best,
Before
drying our eyes and heading west.
I claim a
piece of you as mine,
As I leave
this place,
At the end
of the line.

this is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robbie.
DeleteYou have a gift. More please.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Marianne!
DeleteWell said, my friend. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks, honey ;)
DeletePlease pass me a tissue. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSorry to make you cry, but thank you!
DeleteMakes me think of visiting my Georgia grandmother growing up. I remember snapdragons in her garden and fireflies at night. Lovely writing.
ReplyDeleteGrandmothers always make the best memories, and yours sound wonderful.
Deletesimply lovely
ReplyDeleteThanks very much.
DeleteVery beautiful, very poignant.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Natalie!
DeleteI really enjoyed this piece. The music lover in me wants to hear it as a song.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristin. Maybe I will pull out the guitar this weekend...
DeleteVery sweet.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThis is such a beautiful tribute. I live the line, "I claim a piece of you as mine"
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for reading!
DeleteBeautiful, lyrical piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Larks!
DeleteVery touching.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle.
DeleteSo, so beautiful and a touching tribute to your loved ones.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Erin.
DeleteLove the backbone of the family tree image. This is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteI love this! I so admire those who can write poetry.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am not a poet, but this is what came out at 4am when I couldn't sleep the night after the funeral.
DeleteGorgeous. How gifted you are.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind compliment.
Deletewhat a beautiful piece. Very very lovely
ReplyDeleteThanks very much!
DeleteSo many lovely lines here... the backbone of your family tree, the lazy bees, claiming a piece of you as mine. Love this.
ReplyDelete