The twenty-fourth in a series of haiku poems, Homestead (House for Sale), inspired by a dialogue twixt Suzette Benjamin and Goff James.
House for Sale
I
Memory’s plaster
Old homestead in new stucco
House for sale
House for sale
Numerous old tales remain
Time for moving on
II
Nostalgia lingers
Faded doorways weaker grow
House for sale
Old doors closed
Finding a fresh perspective
Travelling new roads
III
Courage packed
Adventures labelled
Moving on
Heading west
New horizons sought
Waggons roll
IV
Waggons burdened full
Hope and faith the co-pilots
Trailblazing frontiers
Dangers uncharted
Uncertainties ebb and flow
Morrow’s new dawn wakes
V
Adventure beckons
The unknown trust’s lighthouse guides
An eagle in flight.
Rations running low
The sun high in the noon sky
Shade and water sought
VI
In despair’s abyss
Digging deep for survival
An oasis gleams
A flicker of hope
An optical illusion
Fate’s clenched fist outstretched
VII
Journey’s end seems near
Faith a wellspring and shelter
A lifeboat stirs
The ocean calling sings
Final mountain pass to tread
Paradise in view
Homestead
I
Sunlight golden gleams
Emerald forests exclaim
Destiny’s face unveiled
New foundations set
Yesterday’s travails forgot
Eden sacred blessed
II
Thanksgiving kindled
Songs of rejoicing ascend
The land flourishes
Day’s plough laid to rest
Barns filled with earth’s gold harvest
Winter’s voice is heard
III
Frost in furrows nests
Twilight’s chill their metal test
‘Til Spring their hearts warm
Darkness biting stings
Winter’s log fires burning bright
Yesterday’s recalled
IV
Moonlight sagas warm
Opal dreams in amber glow
Nightingales sing sweet
Hillsides silver still
Midnight’s wonderland revealed
Footprints in the snow
V
Valleys aching stroll
Fresh snow wintry trails carved deep
Cooking pot crackles
Children waiting watch
Empty stomachs rumbling peal
Kitchen cupboard bare
VI
Winter stew simmers
Pies on window ledge cool
Hearth and kin savour
Around the table
The fragrance of cooking curls
Many mouths to feed
VII
Measured portions served
Baking bread fills hearth and home
No one goes hungry
Footsteps at the door
The scraping of mud off boots
A warming of hands
VIII
Thoughts and fingers thaw
Coals crimson glowed smoulder bright
Logs a flaming roar
Bowls hot steaming served
Eager anticipation
Prayers of meaning said
IX
Sliced bread broken served
Butter’s sweet aroma floats
Delicious stew made
Hungrily devoured
No time for idle chatter
Bowls and spoons licked clean
X
No second helpings
Cream pie devoured quickly
Smiling stomachs full
Such feasting savoured
Hunger’s clawing kept at bay
Time to clear away
XI
Burdens divided
Utensils and dishes clang
Dishcloths dangling swing
Water everywhere
A clap of hands voices raised
The rattle of feet
XII
Dishes untouched stand
Kitchen in soap bubbles swims
Scolded youths retreat
Door flung open wide
Winter’s wild wind biting growls
Voices shouting race
X111
Hurry shut the door
Mountain winds blast the rafters
Home and hearth shudder
Children in the yard
Hide and seek and snow fights played
Toes and fingers burn
XIV
Warm pitstop indoors
Thawed play stirs an idea
A snowman stands proud
Darkness falling wakes
Unfulfilled dreams melting seep
Winter turns to Spring
XV
Hope wakens new buds
Crocus visions resurrect
Wild geese bathing splash
Morning’s knifed clouds bleed
Unploughed fields lie naked sick
Famine’s carpet spread
XVI
Rations running low
Darkness’ manacles tighten
Locusts feast on dreams
Gullies river dry
Vultures circling stain the sky
Silence sun scorched weeps
XVII
Destiny festers
Nightmares imprison torment
The future chilled gnaws
Bleakness dark invades
A question of survival
Uncertain future
Poem Attribution © Suzette Benjamin and Goff James, House for Sale
Copyright (c) 2021 Suzette Benjamin & Goff James – All Rights Reserved
Painting Attribution © Susan Bergstrom, Hardtack Homestead, (Date Unstated)
Source Attribution https://www.saatchiart.com/print/Painting-Hardtack-Homestead/416604/2369804/view
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