There’s a place
where grandma sat
on the porch
with a rocking chair
a big heart
and a smile that didn’t care
if your shoes were wet
if you feet were muddy
if you face was dirty
and when you were hurting
she’d pick you up
and carry you inside
in her big arms
she’d sit you on the table
where you never ever could sit
otherwise
and she’d pat
and dab
and whisper
it’s o.k
it’s alright
with a bandaid
stuck on just right
and she’d send you back out
into the world
and you’d run with a limp
but you’d soon forget
about the pain
there were games
to be played.
That house was always so warm.
When Poppy died
Grandma still kept it warm
she let us do things
that he never did
and she never got upset
or said
“Don’t slam the damn door!”
she never ever said
anything less than love.
That house was always so warm.
The yard was big
and the trees were bigger
we’d climb
and dangle stars from the limbs
and bells from the twigs
and we’d play outside
at that time of day
when it wasn’t quite dark
when it wasn’t quite light
and we’d hide and seek
and squeel and get giddy
running around
through the bells and stars.
We’d go to Grandma’s after school
and run toward the smell
of the hot cakes
of the love
of Grandma’s perfume
and we opened that front gate
with pride
and a sigh
because it always made that same noise
to let us know
we were at the right house
it was home.
We knew everyone wanted to live there
because that house was always so warm.
People would look and smile
and stop and take a flower from the front
sometimes
the kids would steal
pickets from the fence
and play
rah
rah
rah
all the way home
like pirates
and prisoners
and war men
having fun
when things weren’t serious
and days were long
but never long enough
I knew
that they were taking a picket
home to their parents
so that they could start building a house
just like Grandma’s;
because that house was always so warm.
© ryan
Grandma's home
“Country Cottage” by kitsmumma
Paul Compton, about 1 month ago
When things weren’t serious. Perfect. Another truly evocative piece Nicole. Gorgeous.
Nicole Ryan in reply to Paul Compton’s comment, about 1 month ago
thanx Paul ~ xx
Barry W King, about 1 month ago
beautifully written Nicole – wonderful read
mtda, about 1 month ago
You manage to catch so many feelings that childhood evokes, many of which were long forgotten until I read this. I am not easily impressed when it comes to writing (I’m picky I guess) but you do it on a regular basis, you are an incredible writer.
aglaia b, about 1 month ago
so warm indeed!
i never experience grand parents however this reminds me of how my mum is with my kids and that’s special! ;-) xox
really love the last part babe,
People would look and smile
and stop and take a flower from the front
sometimes
the kids would steal
pickets from the fence
and play
rah
rah
rah
all the way home
like pirates
and prisoners
and war men
having fun
when things weren’t serious
and days were long
but never long enough
I knew
that they were taking a picket
home to their parents
so that they could start building a house
just like Grandma’s;
because that house was always so warm.
such a wonderful imagination you have, even back to those days of grandma’s home!
thanks for sharing this and for your beautiful gift of writing. ;-) xox
Miri, about 1 month ago
you’ve captured the joy of letting children be free, i think. lovely words :-)
Stack, about 1 month ago
Beautifully written, goes perfectly with the image too. :D
Nicole Ryan in reply to aglaia b’s comment, about 1 month ago
that’s my fave bit too .. i like the idea of turning stolen pickets into a pleasure (because we all know how much that sux) LOL
grandma’s are wonderful (psst, we’ll be one someday)
Nicole Ryan in reply to mtda’s comment, about 1 month ago
I like that this has regurgled emotions (good ones) .. and thank you so much for your lovely comments xx
LisaG, about 1 month ago
Tears…....what a treasure this is….I’d like to visit Grandma’s home…XO
flower68, about 1 month ago
I feel like i just watched somebodys old silent home videos.How special that was and how perfect the words and image go together.You’re so gifted with that pen xo
lucin, about 1 month ago
Oh, thank you, Nicole, for the exquisite verbalizing of the feeling which is to play in twilight. It still sweeps me the same way. I take with me a line from here to tuck away and hope that it will help me to remember what responses really matter: She never ever said anything less than love. Thank you for the gifts.
Nicole Ryan in reply to lucin’s comment, about 1 month ago
I’m so pleased that we all share special memories like this .. and i’m doubly (now is that a word? lol) pleased that my writing reaches you the way it does .. because that’s what matters to me a lot .. that my words make an impact (especially a heart warming one).
Thank you.
girlinthestars, about 1 month ago
this is truly beautiful Nicole, so much I can relate to and I love the way you pen it, of course~*
salsbells69, about 1 month ago
Simply beautiful. What a wonderful writer you are. I love the words, and the vision it creates in my mind. The image is beautiful too. Well done.
Nicole Ryan in reply to salsbells69’s comment, about 1 month ago
thanx so much :)
Kitsmumma, about 1 month ago
Nicole, this is so wonderful, you’re writing is so evocative, I can hear, see, smell, everything in your writing, perfect for this image. Thanks again for the wonderful collaboration opportunity. x
Nicole Ryan in reply to Kitsmumma’s comment, about 1 month ago
You’re most welcome .. thank you Slyvia .. your work moves me and the words to this piece came very easily after looking at this image of yours. x
Jan Stead JEMp..., about 1 month ago
Ah….this is simply sublime!!! I love it. It really is as you repeatedly said ‘so warm’. For this whole piece is infused with the wonderful warmth of nostalgia, childhood memories and a time of innocence.
Sheer joy and delight!!!
Congratulations!
: )
~~~~~~~~
You reminded me of my grandma’s house, of which I have uploaded a sketch. I would actually love to be able to put this wonderful piece of writing of yours on the page, with full credit © etc and a link to this piece of writing and your page.
ANyway, I’ll let you have a look and see what you think….its I’m Going to Grandma’s House
Thanks….I love this. favourite for sure!!!
: )))))
Nicole Ryan in reply to Jan Stead JEMproductions’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thank you so much for your comments Jan.
Unfortunately i have already collaborated this piece with the artist who’s artwork appears above here (kitsmumma) .. and i specifically wrote this piece for her ‘country cottage’.
I really like your image too and i can see the relation .. perhaps you would like to simply put a link toward ‘Grandma’s home’ for the evocative feelings it produced for you.
Thanks for your fabulous comments !!
Jan Stead JEMp..., about 1 month ago
THat’s a great idea Nicole.
Of course I should have realised you wrote this inspiring piece to accompany kitsmumma’s brilliant visual artwork. I’d actually already seen this, and loved it, though I can’t recall exactly where I’d spied it!
Thank you for allowing me to put a link towards ‘Grandma’s home’, for it absolutely did evoke some strong emotions and feelings…truly moved me.
You have a great gift. I look forward to watching your future work appear before us.
Thanks heaps!!
: )))
Nicole Ryan in reply to Jan Stead JEMproductions’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thank you so much Jan !!