Red House Talking

heat scared twisted tin
metal remains of the shelter of generations
once marking the boundary between security and sky
seasons' harsh torments of ice and wind
once shielding mother and child and keeping
home hearths warmth within

sentinel timbers stand charred
remnants of hard taught lessons
essential knowings of word and truth
those shadows of learning that stand undaunting
proclaiming our way through life's course
holding us to right of way

paneless windows black and lost
tell of now absent eyes peering outward
watching for familiar faces and tracing memories
in winter vapor smudged glass and then speak
of curtains drawn tightly muffling the magic
giggles of life long love and randy youth.

now the boundaries of roof and wall
yield openly, freeing lives long bound here
prolific gaps grasp not even nature's breeze
but, to have it dance delight
fully resting
on my mind, heart and dream
then wafting on, free.

NOTE: I wrote this after visiting Levering Orchard in 2005.