Last seen 43 years back

By Rhiannonw

Fri, 29 Sep 2017
  • 2308 reads
8 comments
 

The longish garden seems so small
now, after forty years or more
since living in that house – recall
the child’s eyes' view of long before.

The road is not the main route now
to travel out from town to town –
a by-pass near for swifter flow,
but here remember times I've known.

The fields we looked across to see
the hills not very far away
are filled with houses, blocking me
from that remembered view today.

[Poetry Monthly September: Back]

 

Certificate U
Poetry Monthly
Families
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by celticman on

it is amazing when we start looking back what has gone, but we too for granted, then. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Celt. This was about visiting a town and past home that I hadn't been to for about 43 years, and yes surprising to try to fit memories into change of landscape and everything looking smaller than remembered with child's height and perception, and from actually living there daily for so long. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

so true about things remembered so much bigger than they are. Places become so different makes you feel like a piece of thistledown, remembering

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Di-Hard. An interesting metaphor for capturing memories and feelings of long ago! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Your poem said it all Rhiannon. Those lost but not forgotten places that we can only now see in our minds eye.

I too have those same kind of memories of places that seemed so big, I remember walking with my partner through Seamills Bristol and showing him where I went to school. It all seemed so huge when I was young, but now seems so small.

It's sad that houses now block out the view that you remember, but I suppose it's just a fact of life we have to live with.

I enjoyed reading your looking back and glad that at least you were able to grow up surrounded by such a beautiful view.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. Yes, I've always liked if I can just glimpse the hills! I think going back I could see just enough to remember the fuller view, but it is quite something to revisit anywhere after so long, especially when revisiting childhood haunts not seen for so long.

As an adult, I once moved somewhere where we could just see the South Downs – because an elm had had to be cut down from elm disease in the hedge at the other end of a school field, and I felt so pleased with that view opened up!

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

As Noo says, this poem is deceptively simple.  It carries a wistfulness but also an acceptance that things change.  Enjoyed it very much, Rhiannon.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, too. Nice to hear that comment. Rhiannon