I wrote this poem about an old home place that I have passed many times on my way to Eureka Springs Ark. with my wife. The old house even in its aged and worn condition is beautiful and intriguing .The sets just off of Highway 62 in a small clump of trees, alone. There is no other structure around it. It is leaning more each time we pass. It's outside boards are gone and it is completely grey in color. I know that it is just a matter of time before it falls into a pile of forgotten memories. I always stop to take a picture and spend a few moments looking upon this old home place. The joys the sadness, the Thanksgivings and Christmases celebrated. Family gatherings . Warm summers and cold winters, beautiful springs and peaceful fall days. Children running to and fro . What stories would you tell me if you could.But sadly, someday it will be gone, taking with it all the scenes and memories of all that happened there. Then it will be forgotten, and remembered no more. If only the past could speak to us.

If you have some time to visit
I have some words to tell
So if it is you can
Please stop and stay a spell

But if you must hurry on
Don't worry, I will understand
You are young and busy
But please stop if you can

I was once like you
Young and full of life
But the years they have flown
Like a bird into the night

I have long withstood
The blowing winds of time
As I stubbornly grasp
This place I know as mine

And with each passing storm
My foundation weaker grows
And my strength is slowly lost
As from my frame it flows

I was beautiful once
Here underneath these trees
And folks that were passing by
Would stop to gaze at me

My paint was clean and crisp
And I did firmly stand
I was proud of who I was
As I stood tall and grand

A family from long ago
They once called me home
Inside where they lived
I saw true love was shone

I recall the many sounds
The old clocks tick that counted time
The laughter as memories were made
Each day and at special times

I have also felt the sadness
My floors have been stained with tears
From many times of sorrow
Suffered through the years

Their many words are echoed
Within my empty halls
And the ghost of those who loved here
Speak and rest within my walls

But to your ear there is only silence
For my family now has gone
And I have been left here
These many years alone

Each of them one by one
Left to go away
And I had always hoped
They would return someday

But so many years have past
And I have grown weak and worn
Now I am grey
And my boards are bent and torn

I know not how much longer
I will have the strength to hold
The precious memories within
Worth so much more than gold

I know that I will someday fall
Into finality
No more remembered here
A home or a family

If you dont mind my friend
May ask you to mark this place
And remember here once stood a home
Full of love and grace

Thank you too all those
Who have shown so much support
And to those who show they care
No words could help you to understand
How much it means to me

"Sydney," Said The Little Boy,
"Why Do You Smile So Much?"

"I Don't Know, Ryan," I Replied,
"Is It Weird?"

He Tipped His Head Side To Side,
"A Little," He Grinned

I Watched A Leaf Float Slowly To The Ground,
A Sure Sign Of Fall Arriving,
"Maybe Its Just Because I'm Really Happy"

My Heart Broke A Little Then,
Because It Hurt So Much To Lie

How blessed my journey lie
How deep I hold inside
Time can never try
To fade the words I find
How wonderous the Light
That leads me through The Night
And on the other side
God waits with arms out wide

And hear my soul"s desire
To sit beside Gods choir
Of Angel tongues proclaim
The Glory of Thy Name
And here I find my journey
Finds peace and purpose too
My life has been worth living
My tears - I"ll never hide
And thus I  now must leave you
My Final Goodbuye

Wisdom I have gained
Through heartache and through pain
The Past reminds my heart
Of where from I have came
This mortal plane I knew
I leave for life anew
And every step I took
God shows written  in His Book

And hear my soul"s desire
To sit beside Gods choir
Of Angel tongues proclaim
The Glory of Thy Name
And here I find my journey
Finds peace and purpose too
My life has been worth living
My tears - I"ll never hide
And thus I  now must leave you
My Final Goodbuye

Remember as the sun rise
So the wind must die
I"ll keep the memories hidden
Deep in me inside

And when this life Leaves you
With Tears in ur eyes
I will be crying with you
Gods comfort, He"ll provide

And just believe in something
Never close your eyes
Someday I will thank you
For  now I simply leave you
My Final Goodbuye

And hear my soul"s desire
To sit beside Gods choir
Of Angel tongues proclaim
The Glory of Thy Name
And here I find my journey
Finds peace and purpose too
My life has been worth living
My tears - I"ll never hide
For yes I now must leave you

My Final Goodbuye

Yes your words I will remember:
Thank You

My Final Goodbuye
(God Bless You)
-X-
FredErick
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