Not For Sale

our parents dwelt amid shabby chicness

old Victorian elegance in Grantham Hall

its upper floor apartment spacious with tall

windows, eyes wide open on Wellswood below

a wrought iron staircase in need of a warm coat

to cover the emergence of rust patches

an annexe where Grandma's sixth sense

always meant she was the first to greet you

three decades gone, a for sale board on display

i took a virtual tour with the hope of recalling more

more memories, yet i barely recognise the inside

so upmarket this new look, so lavish, so not them

Reviews

[Poetic Beauty]

Oh the memories that can flood in when an old family home goes up for sale and how the changes inside can make it look unrecognizable

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks PB. It was interesting to do a virtual tour. Felt so strange. The place had changed so much. Memories came flooding back.

Chris

[Poetic Beauty]

I’m sure and it isn’t always easy seein changes

[Patricia Wedel]

I love old Victorian homes… the elegance of bygone days. Looking out the large Windows where Gargoyles surrendered. softly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pat for giving this old poem an airing. I drifted back there myself. First time for a while. Good to reflect on my parents and remember their home. Have a good Sunday.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

I know the feeling of having your own Treasures as you face the prospect of leaving it All behind. The best we can Hope for is that an Artistic Soul will find the inspiration along the way. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pat for calling on this older poem. I often walk past the place where my mum and dad used to live. It brings back many memories.

Chris

[Carola]

i can relate to this poem chris.
i personally found it disappointing on the few times i went back to any old familiar haunts because of changes made by the next occupants.
even my old high school had dramatic & unexpected building changes & even different greenery & bushes & trees.
so i've now vowed i won't go back in time as i prefer to remember everything as it was so it won't shatter my memory
cheerio carola

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Carola, thank you for sharing your experiences here. Pleased you can relate to this poem. On reflection it would have been better not to have been tempted by that virtual tour. Better to remember things as they were. Thank you dear Carola for your visit.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

a home such as the one described has roots ... history ... warm human being lived there .. the elegance and charm of times ago did not cross the line into opulence ..they are grand because of the people in them .. the contrast with "modern updating" is sharp and for me makes a statement about a part of today's world, technology and business that takes us out of the home for a great percentage of our lives ... your poem has me reminiscing Christine .. i like the structure of couplets ... the amount of attention you put on rhyme and rhythm but kept it in your own language ... keeping it real eh!? ;)
E.
ps. great title ... the dollar sign can't be placed on the substance of your old home. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mr E, I am happy that my little poem had you reminiscing for past times. Yes, there was much warmth in that home and my online viewing left me feeling cold. I shouldn't have been tempted, but at least I got a poem out of this experience:) Keep well my friend on the other side of the pond and a huge thank you.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ..............

[Pennywriter]

Beautiful and melancholic. I can feel the attachment to a place that has lost its old charm.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pennywriter for your thoughts. Happy for your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Things change, times change and people change. Maybe Tom Wolfe was right and we can never go home again. Oh, we can return to the place of our childhood or the city of our birth but things will not be the same. It almost seems a desecration of our memories to expose ourselves to what has become of our long remembered playgrounds, homes and haunts. But we can hold those memories close to our heart and treasure them like heirlooms passed down to us from experience. I enjoyed reading this. Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian. It was a mistake to be tempted into going online and doing a virtual tour. I was curious. I was left feeling disappointed. On the plus side, I did get a poem out of it.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I try to dwell on the reward side of things as well. And your poem was very rewarding.

[AJNJ]

The wonders you described here with such beauty and flair cannot be bought with money. Elegance cannot be replaced by affluence and the two are not the same. That decency, courtesy and old world charm when times were slower and people were more caring and thoughtful seemed to have changed beyond recognition, as symbolized by the upmarket look of the much loved house. The third and fourth verses are very touching, the essence of a wonderful home. This poem is to be read more than once. Its a gem.

[Chris Shaw]

I loved the shabby chic and that is what I remember, along with my loved ones who resided in that apartment. Looking at the upmarket, empty rooms all the warmth went. They had become cold and without soul. Thank you for your encouragement Pestonjee. All good things.

Chris

[AJNJ]

Much enjoyed and appreciated this poem, dear Chris! You are welcome.

[Davidgeo]

You've got some class C anne Shaw. You write good things without too many words.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for the compliment. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

Have you ever jumped out of a perfectly good airplane before?

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, in my imagination, but always with a parachute. I prefer soft landings.

[Davidgeo]

You should try it. If you do it commercially it's really not so bad; the landing is pretty, 'eh'. It's still kinda scary. I've never left an airplane in the air feeling completely safe. There is a significant degree of risk. But it's pretty fun. And it gives you a certain kind of confidence afterwards... you should jump out of an airplane. It'll change your life.

[Robert Trakofler]

I'll take an old and dilapidated anything over a shiny new thing anyday if I cant use it as it is I will makeit to something I can:) that goes for houses and and well pretty much everything for me I only buy new shoes cause I have big feets most everything else I own is old or used:/ my store is full of old and discarded things that I make into new things if I can't sell it as is love is in old things and old houses dear Chris but you already new that:)

[Chris Shaw]

Yes Bunny. I like old too. I live in an old house. I enjoy old things. I buy second hand. Each object has a history. I find that fascinating. I choose old books. Tbank you so much for your visit.

Chris