Room 803 Poem by joan reese

Room 803

Rating: 5.0


My home away from home
My seaside place,
Twice the size of my everyday space.

No Clutter, white walls;
Perfumed soap gift wrapped
Waiting for my return.

Sliding glass doors
Overlooking Atlantic ocean.
Sounds of the sea rock me asleep.

Ten blocks away, neon Casino lights.
My secret place; self- contained:
Restaurant, pool, movie theatre, gym.

I brought a lover once
His presence is long gone
Room 803, by the sea, is meant for me.

From my balcony I see a grand old brick mansion.
Three stories high, freshly painted wooden shutters,
Stain glass, wrap around balconies. Water-less fountain.

I spy the windows for signs of life.
A man enters a side door, only to leave soon after;
One out-side light burns all night.

I imagine a gray- haired lady lives there alone.
Her grandson checks on her everyday.
She knows Atlantic City in its hayday.

I want to drink a cup of tea with her and listen to her memories.
Did her family build the boardwalk; the steel pier?
Who was the love of her life? Is she happy still being here?

The gift of living long.
A treasure trove: landmark moments.
It only takes a listening ear to bring them back to life.

My grandmother Eva, born in Atlantic City,1920.
Great grand parents, Banford, left England, settled by the sea.
Atlantic Avenue where they lived, I walked by in wonderment.

I imagine a gray- haired lady who lives alone in the mansion
Holds the keys to my family’s past.
If only we could have a cup of tea.

Room 803
Monday, August 17, 2015
Topic(s) of this poem: family,grandmothers,home,old memory,seaside,wondering
POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
My great grandparents came from England and settled in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1908. I visit the resort quite often. I try to imagine what it was like when they lived there and if I ever walked down the same street that they walked on.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Connor Whyte 27 January 2016

I don't know how you do it but you can lock me in with your writing, I think I said it before but you paint the picture perfect almost like I am there. Thank you for sharing this. I know how beautiful the sea is I live on the coast and it is truly mesmerizing.

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