The New Old

Moving in to a new house makes me think of everyone before me. I feel a nostalgia for things I never knew.

Here I am, 

sitting in my new old room

drinking coffee to keep me awake

writing new old words 

from ideas that are recycling in my brain. 

There is nothing but

hand-me-down sounds

reclaimed by my slowly failing ears

that lend nothing but

thoughts that will eventually lead to

my new, but never unthought of demise. 

My new-to-me street 

sings lullabies of past goodbyes

that may someday be echoed

by my own lips. 

I breathe air from trees

that are much older than me

and have seen the passing of time

through the years. 

Other people

with their new and old ways

break in new and old habits

that will stay with this place forever. 

While I sit on this bed, 

my head spins with the thought

that someone may soon

be sitting in this new old room

and think the same thoughts 

as I am right now. 

Reviews

[Nolo Segundo]

Congrats on your win in the 'Anything' contest-- I really like the way you weave thru the poem the extended metaphor of time flowing relentlessly thru life--well done!

[bigfootprint]

Your grammar is impeccable. You sound like an empath. Maybe your thoughts intermingle with the essence of "roommates" former and future. Anyway. you share much of yourself with us as a sensitive and caring person. Your new old words tell us that no matter where we are, we are preceded by people who had similar worries, joys, and old habits. I love the repetition of new-old, simple but meaningful. Your imagery flows well, and the narrative is simple yet poignant. The uneven line lengths flows in fits and starts like day-dreams. I can relate to your melancholy mood. Excellent work.

[Ally Ann]

I do believe that I am an empath. I feel very connected with the feelings of people and places, so much so that it sometimes overwhelms me. I guess that is why I am a writer, it is somewhere to put those overwhelming feelings. I try my best to share what I am feeling, and it means a lot that you can feel it too.

[Onlyme]

Lovely, thoughtful, echoes of new and old. Eloquently felt and shared with us all. With wonderful images to cherish and hold.

[Ally Ann]

Thank you, Dee. I am at a point in my life that I am sort of stuck between reflecting on the past and thinking about the future. I guess that brought this poem to life.