A Lament to a Memory of Grammy’s House

Submitted by: Joan Testori

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A house once stood there.

Now long grasses dance where children once played,
Blueberry bushes mark the spot where love once lived.
Now, all these memories are hidden from view.

Once the house’s heart rang with the sound of children’s laughter,
As it gathered the family into its embrace,
Providing comfort and protection as the years quickly past.

Yet as the years marched on the house’s soul wept in grief,
As one by one all left its familiar shelter,
Leaving its heart hurting and wounded.

Then my grandmother left.

Now only I know where that house once stood--
Or I think I do,
As I drive slowly past.

The house long ago lost its heart in a fire.
The workplace up the road – the industry of my grandfather
Lies among the trees and grass that swallowed up the sawdust and earth.

There is nothing there to remind me of how that house – that mill
Looked but these memories that I hold close to my heart,
And when I am gone these memories will be gone as well.