ALONE
I stand here alone, staring out the rain streaked window, remembering other times, happier times. Seasons long past.
I hear the sound of laughter floating through the air like a butterfly caught on a summer breeze, footsteps running to be the first to answer the phone.
I see rooms overflowing with children in mischievous play, marks on the doorway showing a child's growth from one birthday to another.
I feel the warmth of a fire on a damp autumn evening, a child's fear of thunderstorms disappearing as he falls asleep on my lap.
I smell the aroma of freshly ground coffee brewing in the kitchen, of homemade bread baking in the oven.
I remember Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas hams, celebrations for good report cards, times shared, happier times. Seasons long past.
I stand here alone, starring out the rain streaked window, tears blurring my vision.
I hear the rain pounding on the roof, there is no laughter, no running footsteps.
I see doors worn from a thousand hands, empty rooms, there are no children.
I feel the chill from a fireplace that will never again give out warmth, fear as the thunder rolls across the autumn sky and lightening crashes over head.
I smell mold and decay as it permeates the empty rooms like a cancer spreading through the body, and I remember why.
Why I stand here alone, starring out the rain streaked window, tears blurring my vision, listening to the rain as it drowns out my thoughts, my memories, my life, and I remember.
Author notes
Written April 11th, 2003
This is my 4th poem on my site but was actually my 5th one written so am entering it in lieu of the 5th...if you want to remove it I don't mind...wish I had time to write a new one...maybe the next one I will...
In a list
A contest entry
- Options Ten by Partners In Crime.
900 points, ended May 26, 2008, 8 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 25 of 25
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This is awesome
so sad, rings so true to me Good luck in the contest
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Thank you for your entry
Very sad and contemplative. Thanks for sharing.
God Bless
Tammy -
I'm glad you entered this, Sis. It's a poem I and many others can relate to. It's one that more of us should get to read.
Good luck in the contest
love and
Dee
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So good, you touched feelings I have too. Alone is a good one. Keep writing.
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Just me again.... reading this I'm reminded, both with sadness and happiness, that I've had these things to share with my children.....and there truly are times when I wish we could go back, do it again. Sometimes I feel like this now, all the kids and grandkids not around. I do miss them all.
As with all your other poetry, I love this one, so many memories.
Love and
your sis -
this is a reallly good poem
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this is beautiful. it reminds me of my grandmother's house and how sad she always seemed when all the family left. this poem strikes me as so real. i feel moved to comfort. - ba
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Fine writing.
This poem has really expressive power. The power of memories of happier days which, like the sound of rain and storm can serve to blot out the nostalgia of a lonelier present. A very good inspiration j aime. Am I being picky tho. if I think that lightening flashes and its the thunder that crashes? Take no notice of me - it's a fine poem. Thanks for sharing it. Hugh Wyles. -
Great write
A beautiful poem with touching and reminiscent images of a life lived and loved. Tim -
While the title is 'Alone' and there is such a sense of remembrance,
longing, grieving even.. the memories are there.. the senses still alive and tuned into the past.. that could it be possible that the memories sit with you keeping you company and be treasured, embraced and celebrated?
Touching write with pain yet, there is love found in this words..
Jani -
Great work. very creative and tells a story that one can picture and not forget.
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I'm not a parent but that was beautiful and haunting in a soft comforting way. I mean, even as a 15 year old that brought tears to my eyes and gave new thoughts towards my own mother. The way you wrote that with spaces inbetween gave it even more power to it and separating the two different sides was wonderful. I certainly loved How at the beginning and end of the first part you wrote "seasons long past" and started each time with I stand here alone. giving us one image at different type and changed settings. Wonderful piece. keep up the work!
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1-10.... 11
I wonder, what could inspire this? It's sad and honest. Truly felt. Good job, keep writing. -
hauntingly sad write. beautifully written.
nothing is more beautiful than the laughter of children. -
Jen described exactly what I believe. Memories are the photographs of the best times we shared. Especially when with those, now moved away or gone. There appear to be these photos on offer, for you, here. Great work -tj-
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excellent, well written pc. of life
Dee is right about her comments. Sometimes, I wish I could turn the clock of time back and have the kids be little. Life was so full then. Now it is so very empty most of the time. I really related to this piece. Glad to see you have posted a couple while I was on vacation. Elsie told me, you 2 had lunch and went material shopping recently. I love Olive Garden too! Something Mom and I try to do when I am there to visit. Elsie, Jim and my parents have been friends for many yrs. through the military. Terrific job on this write! Trying to go down my favorites list and catch up on my reading. Being off line for better part of 3 wks., will never catch up! God Bless and agian, Welcome to AP. You are a wonderful addition to the group! What kind of quilt r u going to do? I used to quilt, fingers don't co-operate now. -
With love still in your heart and memories to look back on, you will never truly be alone.
You paint so well with words.
Another one for the EXCELLENT file.
Thank you for sharing.
Rodney -
Wow...So heartfelt and beautiful...This touched me..and your imagery...again I applaud you..Your poems deserve to be published and shared with the world..They are a work of art...I loved this..
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guilty
nice very nice i like it its like all reflective and stuff -
Imagery and Words
Your poem held good imagery, but the lines were a bit too long for my taste. I'd suggest throwing in a few shorter lines...perhaps a few "power words" or short snippets of a conversation to add some variety? -
memories are hearts photographs.
I like the images you share here.
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could improve
although i understand everything you said
i can't really feel that poerty i read
not enough emotion
it should be much deeper
i bet when you wrote it you cried....am i right?
make me cry then -
This so sad. Our children grow way too fast these days. This is a good reminder for parents to appreciate their kids while they're around.
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At times like this I'm glad I have grandchildren.
I miss the days of girlscouts and little league.
Teacher visits and proms... Kids on the phone too long or the thunder of feet on the stairs...
Great poem here...
I truely enjoy your work...
Pat -
wonderful
Sometimes, looking back on life we can feel those arms around us, see the michievness in those sparkling eyes, the little hands in ours .... almost makes me wish my kids were still small, innocent.
I think this is a most wonderful poem.... it's so real, wonderful images and flow.
You're so GOOD!!!!
Gotta luv ya, Sis
Dee
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