in thru the back door
out thru the front door
grab cookies from the counter
as we go
in thru the back door
out thru the front door
this is how we play
at jeffreys’ house
under summer leaves
under cottonwood trees
lizards and lady bugs
in thru the back door
out thru the front door
grab some cookies as we go
grandmother gets ready for church
grandfather rides the porch swing
melanie wears a pretty dress
i wear a clip-on bowtie
in thru the back door
out thru the front
race around the house laughing
summer all day long
all these years
boarded up windows
peeling paint and creaking boards
in thru the back door
out thru the front
good to know ghosts still play
in jeffrey’s house
posted for the sunday muse
Yep - their spirits nodded as I passed by!! If only old houses could talk!
ReplyDeleteBut what has Jeffrey become???!!! Sorry, that's where my mind goes sometimes. Seriously, this reminded me viscerally of childhood in nice weather--I could swear I heard the screen door slam behind us.
ReplyDeleteI loved the image of those kids banging in and out for cookies.......and hope there are some invisible ones for the ghosts!
ReplyDeleteI could hear and see those kids running through that house. Love this Phillip! So glad to see you at the Muse this week!
ReplyDelete"lizards and lady bugs.." lots of sharp, strong visuals in this one, Phillip. There's a great feel of childhood, of a time when everything on earth is a toy of one kind or another, and then the gradual fade into our more "rational" and rigid adult selves which seems to shutter the house and distance us from it and our own pasts so that both the house and us are ghostly--yet it's not a melancholy poem at all. It's full of light and sprightliness. I love the way you've used the refrain of 'in and out.." Doors are a bit magical here. A light, but full poem, skillfully written.
ReplyDeleteThat back and forth was amazing! And the way you tied it into the ghosts at the end just brought a shiver and a grin. Love the idea of a happy(?) haunting.
ReplyDeleteThis brought to mind a children's play song with the repetition of 'in thru the back door, out thru the front'. And those ghosts still playing ... lovely write.
ReplyDeleteLove the energy and liveliness in your poem ... I would love Jeffrey's house too. Ghosts and all.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. I had fun reading about Jeffries' house.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my blog
Muchđź’–love
Ghosts and trespassers now going in the front but again sneak out the back door. I visited and played in an abandoned house on the hilltop next several times, never did I get caught. The property since and the grand old house has been restored. Two ladies live there now.
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Awwwww I love the repetition as the ghosts are playing. Nice twist there.
ReplyDeleteI linked here from Magaly. And I bookmarked so I can return. What attracted me was the name of your blog. The jalopy dreams, the poetry yard sale, the whole bit just sort of tangles one up. And the picture of Jeffrey's house! Just drew me in like a snagged trout. Love it here. I wish I had been one of Jeffrey's friends. :)
ReplyDeleteI can hear that door slam!
ReplyDeleteWhat funthose kids had. Their spirits must still go in and out those doors. Enjoyed reading this.
ReplyDeleteI love this! The best (all right, my favorite) ghost stories are full of spirit. I love how much fun everyone seems to be having.
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