Familiar Street Poem by John A'Hern

A familiar street waits to greet,
Scenery not changed, the same terraced houses
Front doors reaching out to welcome you.
First home together, dreams fulfilled,
Walking the street as if in a trance.

All houses appeared unchanged
Your heart skips a beat
Almost tripping over your feet.
Standing outside a home full of memories
Frozen in time, slow reactions.

Thoughts unexplained, race through your mind
Nothing has changed, the same colours greet,
Paint colours as in times of old.
Knock the door, an inner voice says
What can they say, words feared, go away?

Door knocker gleaming, brass cleaned daily,
Feel as a stranger, as the knock echoes loudly.
Felt the need to run, glued to the spot
This is not fun, run away not an option,
The door opens, a familiar face greets you.

Silence as your voice fails to work,
A smile and greeting, hello I feel I know you.
Explanations given, welcomed quite proudly,
Come inside, eyes studied the scenes,
Voices and laughter echo inside you.

Conversation of times gone by,
Cups of tea and homemade cakes.
No children to see, all flown the coop,
Sadness is shown as talk of them flows
Smile and agree with all that is said.

Saying goodbyes, sadness in their eyes,
Say a silent goodbye to the house.
If walls could speak what words would be heard
Laughter and love in bucket loads for sure.
Leave the scene, will you see the home again?
Only time and life span can tell.