Ancestry

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Sun, 09 Sep 2018
  • 3004 reads
12 comments
 

10 Willow Walk.
The place where
some of my ancestors
were born.

A two-up-two-down,
one of a series
of terraced houses
with, at the end,
a corner shop.

There used to be
a request bus stop
but it was got rid of
when the company
changed the bus route.

I have travelled
by car and by rail
and am here
as I am on the trail
of my past.

But the clues
I found are few.
Changes have happened
and much too fast;
all the buildings
around here are new.

It is no surprise
that the old dwellings
have been demolished
and replaced by high-rise
apartment homes.

Number10 Willow Walk
is now a supermarket
whose competitive prices
have been well received.

Although hard to believe
from the floor plan I can see
that my great-grandfather
was probably conceived
on the spot where they've got
till number three.

© Luigi Pagano 2018
Certificate U
Poem
Are you being versed?
Humour
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hey that's a great poem Luigi and so true. The cottage where I was born is now new homes, the place name has sadly disappeared. But like you say, at least we have our memories.

That last bit was clever and put a smile on my face. smiley

Jenny. xx  

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

That's life, and so called progress, dear Jenny. Changes of all sorts happen so quickly nowadays that it is hard to keep up with all the innovations. But you are right; we still remember how things were in our past.
I too had a cottage, my first home, which was pretty decrepit when I bought it but developed into shape before selling it. I recently came across it on a website of an estate agent and saw that it had been changed beyond recognition (for the better, I must say) and had a phenomenal price tag.

Luigi xx

 

Submitted by Mark Say on

... on how places change. I like the simple, direct approach, references of everyday things and the little touch of humour at the end.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

It is gratifying to receive an appreciative response, Mark, and the cherries of course.

Thanks very much and best wishes. Luigi

 

Submitted by ronnie73 on

We have certainly seen changes over the years.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Yes we have, Ronnie, in more ways than one and in such a short span.

Best, Luigi.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Great IP response Luigi - sometimes it's best not to look back (especially when something you once owned is either gone, or worth a fortune now!)

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Yes agreed. I don't intentionally look back but occasionally something unexpected emerges which reconnects me with the past. When that happens it gives me new ideas for a poem or a short story so it isn't all bad.

Thanks for your kind words. Luigi x 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Good idea, and it brought to my mind how interesting a computer generated time-lapse film of an area might be, creating and dispalying the layout and changes down the years. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Yes, Rhiannon, with the right expertise it should prove an interesting experiment.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Really enjoyed this Luigi!

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Your words are music to my ears, Helen, and very welcome.

Luigi x