Home in the Swamp
Swamp House
Winter hung on longer than expected
Fog drifted in slowly
Gray became the color of the day
Against the contrast of rotten yellow grasses
That should have been cut last fall
I arrived only last October
The smell of autumn in the air
Colored leaves dancing in the breeze
Crisp cold rushing in from the Bay
I awaited Spring with my usual enthusiasm
Looking out for the first sign of green
Buds on trees, blades from bulbs
Yet only this grayness and rain filled the air
The ants came in silent armies as if to taunt me
Outside the sound of frogs and buzzing things
Add to the hum of the heavy night
The places I looked for grasses are mud
The gardens are old and unkempt
The place that looked in winter as if it had been sleeping
In fact it was dead
Long ago, overtaken by this swamp
And here I stand
In a house that floats on a bedrock of mud
Disembodied voices echoing through my window each night
A mile away, I feel the sun’s warmth and spring days
Yet, nothing gets in to my house in the swamp.
What am I to do now?
When my mood is so closely tied to my surroundings
And it seems to be draining the life out of me?
Am I really chained to this house forever,
As it seems to be trying to make me believe?
Am I trapped here now in this beautiful house
That sits on a land, so dark and cursed
Because of the choices I made already?
Or can I run far away, again toward the sun
And only take with me what I need
Surrender the rest to this house and the swamp
Who seem to want a piece of me
If I am ever to break free.
All rights reserved
Copyright Erin LeFey 2011
Comments
AUTHORThank you Acaetnna, nice to see you again and thanks so much for commenting.
Beautiful imagery Erin, you are so talented when you paint a picture with your words. Great work.
- AUTHOR
Epi, I'm so glad you enjoyed it and I did try my best to pull everyone into that swamp with me - without feeling that murkiness and my disgust for it, you really couldn't feel the desperation and hope for wanting to get out. And about that day in the swamp...let's go out instead!!!
..well my love life is currently in a swamp - lol lol - but seriously folks this prestigious lady can certainly write with the best of them - and this is such a visual treat Erin through words that I could smell, taste and feel the atmosphere created by you - so there is only one thing left to say - I would spend some time with you in the swamp any old day - and yes this piece is still haunting me now as I write this comment - absolutely superb Erin - it certainly got a hold of me!!!!
- AUTHOR
thanks b, I think you are right. I like the part about opening the front door and running towards the sun and never looking back...Sounds like another wonderful adventure!
Open the front door and run towards the Sun...and never look back on this Swampy House. It's too depressing for you Erin. I loved the Poem though and the pictures speak for themselves...Good one!
- AUTHOR
Ruby, thanks for the beautiful scene you painted. Luckily I'm just renting right now, I'll move into that house next! The house I own in Colorado is for sale! xo
WillStarr, thanks so much, for the visit and comment. I can't imagine really living on the edge of a swamp, that must be wild -- this place is just swampy, and in Maryland.
Genna, I've never been really in the swamplands either. I've been to Georgia and Florida and drove through them, but never to stay. I actually "feel" this way in this house on this land - I would say I can't really explain the feeling, but I just did above, lol. Take care and hugs!
Mckbirdbks, thanks so much for visiting and for commenting. Take care.
Very compelling plus interesting imagery. Well done.
I have never seen the swamp land in this country, but from your photos and your wonderful words it gives me an idea as to what it is really like. I'm not sure I would like living there, but many people find it beautiful and peaceful. Voted up and awesome for this vivid and compelling write. Take care and hugs, Erin!
A great visual narrative, and, since we once lived on the edge of a swamp in South Carolina, it brings back vivid memories.
Oh shoot, I forgot about your leg. I know what can happen, the swamp will miraculously drain, only beautiful flowering trees will remain with green velvet grass, the house will glisten with fresh white paint, a beautiful cobblestone drive lined with Bradford pear trees in full bloom........ Geez, If you ever want to sell, give me first choice. Love you right back.
Hugs..
- AUTHOR
Ruby! I would if I could, but I've got a bum leg! I just have to walk really fast. I guess the swamp will swallow up my treasures if I leave them behind, but I need to lighten the load anyway! Love you my friend!
- AUTHOR
Short Story, thanks so much for visiting - not one of my usual types of writing, I'm glad you liked it! Thanks!
Eiddwen, my friend, pretty dark and dreary huh? Thanks so much for your votes and so glad you loved it! Take care.
Nan, that is so true. And isolated is one thing but isolated in this kind of environment is another. I never would picture myself living in a swamp, yet, that's exactly how it feels. And it just came to be in the Spring... Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Take care.
Run, Run like the wind. Leave that dark old house. Erin i love this.
Thanks for sharing your deep feelings. Some people thrive on living isolated, others can't bear it.
wow erin,
Great words and pictures which gave the hub that completed look.
I love this one and I push all the buttons here.
Take care
Eiddwen.
Nice. I like the flavor.
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