THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD 

The man wonders looking
for the things he once knew
shaken by the death of the tree
he needs some peace of mind

There was the corner park
where endless games of ball
were played under a golden sun
and he was happy as a lark

He felled in love on the slide
with the girl next door
but the happiness didn't last
other things called him away

But that was the park of yesterday
for now it is overgrown and deserted
there are no more children around
so the city let it slowly fade away

The corner store is gone
with old Mr. Miller its owner
he used to give away candy
on special holidays

If you were short on funds
Mr. Miller would give you a break
as a boy he bought his mother a cake
for Mother's Day for only a nickel

The building is gone now
in its place stands a supermarket
that claims to have personal service
but they never give anything away

It seems like only yesterday
he was just a little boy
time seems to be stripped away
to reveal long lost memories

Time is so important he thinks
that now he hates to waste it
but he was once very different
what changed him so much

Funny how his heart grew so cold
can it thaw now for him
it is too late and time so bold
has stolen away his life

Tears glisten in his eyes
as he sees the old church
my just the sight
of its proud bearing cause him to cry

Here is where he grew
his home away from home
somehow he always knew
that he would return one day

He climbs the well-worn steps
to the majestic oaken door
he tip-toes across the shiny floors
as the creaking echoes in the hall

But the pews once polished
are now covered with dust
and as he looks around
he finds he first saw illusions

For the steps he made
are clearly outlined on the floor
the eyes of youth betrayed
him with their memories

His heartbeats echo in the stillness
as time plays its last cruel joke
for the church was his foundation
but now this church is dead like everything else

Does he really have nothing now
no memories or no families
in the stillness he wonders how
one lives after being raped by time

They find him the next morning
a man dead on the old church's pew
no one knew his story
or what caused him to die

Paul Vernon Deffendall
May 20, 1990

PREVIOUS POEM
NEXT POEM
BACK TO FADED GLORY



Hosted by www.Geocities.ws