the house we grew up in
do you remember how it used to be
everyone so alive
& their emotions unpredictable
someone swinging from the chandelier
those down below w/their hands
over their heads
where the garden used to grow
is now wild grass & a few weeds
the lady of the house
watering the patch on occasion
looking back & upward
at the second story windows
after all these years nobody knows
how many souls continue
to wreak havoc there
pounding walls & breaking glass
playing monopoly in the kitchen
sneaking out at night
august two thousand twenty-three
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved





