March 15, 2023.



castle walls

“It is a family tradition,
I’ve laughed about it but it doesn’t make it any less true”
We block our doors from friendly visitors
but crowd up our lonely rooms

I remember my granny holding onto
mason jars with canned food inside,
years written on the lids from before I was born -
but she couldn’t let them go, couldn’t waste a cent

I’d go with her to busy thrift stores and we’d come home
with bags and bags of things she didn’t need
It was old baby dolls, church clothes, another clock to hang on the wall
but she did this kind of thing multiple times a week

My mama would get mad as a hornet at her
Granny was dismissive, but her eyes were full of thunder and rain
Every few years, the whole family would pull together
To get her house clean, but never at her pace

The truth is that I’ve been falling into granny’s flat shoes
Building a castle of objects to call friends
I’ve had to let go of so much and I wanted some things to stay
Rooms that felt like hugs, some sort of safe space

But I see the castle walls crumbling
I’ve poked breathing holes into my little cup
I know it is time to ask myself what I really need
Because another purchase won't lift me up

I see it as adding another log to an ancient fire
How long will the forest last
When you ‘re chopping down all these trees
Instead of putting down that heavy axe



Poetry by aidan haskel The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 157 times
Written on 2023-03-15 at 11:15

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D G Moody
I can only add my own humble appreciation. This tells a story, and it does it with eloquence and imagery -'eyes full of thunder and rain' as an example. And yes, I'd rate this highly.
2023-03-16


Alan J Ripley The PoetBay support member heart!
Sometimes we build walls to keep people out.
Sometimes to keep us in. I think I'm both.
Sometimes we buy things we don't need
To allow us to get our green shield stamps
Loved reading this. Regards Alan
2023-03-16


josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
All I can do is echo both Tom and John. Brilliant…! Bravo…!
2023-03-15


JohnJohn
A great write, well constructed with thoughtful connotations. This is what poetry should be about. Well done.
2023-03-15


Uncle Meridian The PoetBay support member heart!
Among many excellent poems you have written, this is the best I've read yet. Such vividness, power, prowess. Gracefully exposited and cadenced from start to finish. A moving and compelling portrait of both protagonists.
2023-03-15