Lucky Bones

Old Houses

xi old houses Old houses are best they have secrets shadows trembling everywhere in closet and corner their weaknesses secret cracks in the blocks corroded pipes the termites’ patient gnawing Their strengths are secret too: the handcarved attic beam the portrait paneled over a feeling they’ve earned their way Every board in the house has been pressed by finger and foot forehead and knee tears on old tiles have worn their stories stories spread through the rooms like the hint of camellias we breathe stories here we inhale old passions exhale the dead resolutions that are still moving In the closet there is . . . something Sun slants through casement windows around slender candles shattering on the wicker where we sit in love with the shadows old houses are best old oaks bend over them whispering it’s all right it’s all right all those kids had fun and remember that young couple who had such love for each other it overflowed and did the azaleas sing and birds blaze like roses ? and even the garage long ago burned down was an object of affection ...