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I remember long ago

In little green house

Once yellow

Once red

Now green

Captured in a photograph

The grass on the front lawn

Short

Thin

Dry

Yellow

I remember that hot summer

Down in that little green house

We never once thought

Of the blessings we had

Once long ago

We never could fathom

How happy we could be

Down in that little green house

Yes the walls were cracked

The roof was faded

The kitchen small

The yard was dry

The trees were tall

But it was home

Down in that little green house

And once we left we never looked back

All that's left is this photograph

That captures our childhood

And how happy we were

Down in that little green house

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I know he who lives on Memory Lane, we have often met
In my dreams he wanders, his company I have kept
I recognize him by his sigh, his bittersweet complexion
He seemingly shows up, faint memories held within his possession
He’s shared with me, his reveries and thoughts
His innermost emotions, regrets, and lessons he's been taught
The goals never met, his triumphs renowned
They radiate from his figure, adorning like a crown

I can’t help but notice, his downcast small grin
The somber way his feet move, allude to his chagrin
He's never sang for joy, never skipped along his way
Never noticed beauty in the moment, that passes everyday
He lives within the past, too absorbed inside his head
Every moment from his boyhood, he relives until he’s dead

Convinced that things were better, oh so long ago
He stays within his vision, and dwells upon his woe
I’m his only friend, the only one he’s talked to
In my slumber there he is, with conversations new
He regards me with interest, though he doesn’t understand
Why I refuse to live within his world, and walk upon his land

He’s gestured to his quiet meadows, laden with solitude
The flowers burdened by time, once vivid colors subdued
He shows me the sun, that shines ever so brightly
But shadows are not banished, and grow within unsightly
His world holds a certain luster, a comforting ardor
But discontentment lies, everywhere inside his border

I smile and thank him, but my answer each time is no
I love the memories I have, but life even moreso
He shrugs his transparent shoulders, and moves onto something new
But If he ever had the choice, would he quietly undo
The decisions he has made, his story to rewrite
These things I wonder, as we talk throughout the night

And when it comes to say goodbye, he waves a solemn hand
And each time to me he says, you’re welcome in my lands
Every time I go to bed, I wonder will we meet
But the lucid man I talk to, is always there to greet
So even though I listen, to his emphatic refrain,

I will always be wary, of he who lives on Memory Lane.

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Energy filled air

Fireworks light the night sky

Anticipation

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I walked along the lovely shaded grove

With sunshine blossoming like in a dream

Lined with the memories of my mind’s trove

My childhood, where adventures ran supreme

My hands were clenched with secrets I sought

As I looked to find some meaning held there

The glade of trees entwined my rampant thoughts

I looked in all the nooks and crannies where-

I could find the answers I had outrun

The quiet grove- where it had all begun.

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The zoo can be a dangerous place.

I wander through the asphalt jungles

Of a parking ramp loaded and bustling

Picnic tables offer repose

But pigeons eye my repast hungrily

I move on quickly

As I come to the doors, I humbly remember

Only the brave shall be able to enter

The guard clad in green takes my pass

And apathetically eyes me

She lets me through with a small wave,

Apparently I have passed the test.

I walk the trails of valor and eye new beasts before me

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my

And puffins and zebras and fish I espy.

And suddenly i see it

A wild toddler in her natural habitat

She jumps and falls to the ground laughing-

Riveting.

The quest to survive is eminent,

As she asks her mother for chocolate milk

Screaming at the top of her lungs-

Fascinating.
A natural born predator

The apex of her strength is used to climb a fence,

Only to be carried off by her guardian.

Only a stroller can incarcerate the youngling.

Eventually the struggle for entertainment ceases,

and she slips away in a dream, nodding her head to sleep.

The zoo can be a dangerous place indeed

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The windows of my life, are covered with lacy curtains

The outside is rather nice, but the rest I’m not so certain

My memories are like a house, with walls between each room

Flour is on the kitchen floor, and cobwebs on the broom

The halls have not been swept, there’s dust under the table

Books are scattered on their shelves, without title nor label

The bathroom door is always closed, it’s in pitiful condition

The vacuum has been dead for years, never moving from its position

Food is on the table, moldy with rotten age

And there’s brittle bones on top the floor, of the metal bird cage

This house used to be filled, with blithesome smiles and laughter

But I can’t bear to look inside, knowing what happens after

People used to live, within my gentle home

Just long enough to gain my love, then left with hearts of stone

My memories they hold a truth, I never want to hear

So I pledge never to return, submitting to my fear

But even though my house was built, it’s been falling for some years

The walls are cracked the roof is torn, from the weight of all my tears

So no one’s ever known, the condition diagnosed within

For I cover every flaw, with a skillful pleasant grin

And though the doors are boarded shut, the lawn is nice and green

For appearances are important, as long as the rest is never seen.

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To the ones who cherished life, but loved duty more.

To the ones who saw something worth fighting for.

The shadow is unveiled,

The darkness fades away.

For we mourn those who are lost today,

In the earth of heroes, where their bodies lay.

Their eyes glazed over, lips still, faces paled.

Eyes once full of life,

Empty

Cold

Stilled.

The opening of the tomb is filled.

Anger kindled against those who have killed.

The ones who died, they have not failed.

For legends never die.

Above the dismal stone, their spirits fly,

Remembering the freedom this blood will buy.

The last breath was given, never again inhaled.

But legends never die.

The corpse may fade away,
But the memory is still fresh unto today.

The mouth that once spoke,

Silent

closed

alone

Sacrifice is commemorated.

Bloody stripes waving in the wind

And the stars glow through the din

For legends never die.

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The pitter patter drenches the earth below

Raindrops fall against a dismal sky

And the world is quiet,

for a small span of time

With nothing but the rain

to project its symphony

I stand in my driveway, and look up to the clouds

The healing storm washes me anew

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Object Poem- Little Green House
Narrative Poem- He Who Lives on Memory Lane
Rule Poems- Haiku and Sonnet
Field Trip Poem- The Zoo
Misc.- Memories
Misc.- Legends Never Die
Bonus Poem- Rain

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Little Green House Revisions

He Who Lives on Memory Lane Revisions

Haiku and Sonnet Revisions

The Zoo Revisions

Memories Revisions

Legends Never Die Revisions

Rain Revisions