Inner Child
Numbers stick to my tongue
Each digit a ting on a
Tiered wind-chime.
Many places I have lived
Behind iron gates with lions on guard
Swimming pool in the bamboo screen backyard
Honeysuckle at the windows.
There is no combination of states
Letters or zip codes left to scramble
Into something magical
Addresses fade into writing.
½ Wheeler Street
I cherish in memory
Still vibrant with ink.
Half of me existed
Between the red brick walls
The other half wandered
Mailbox to copper mailbox
Forever alive.
Photo by Trinity Nguyen on Unsplash
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Kelly Diane
Beautiful poem Jaya. It really took my mind back to my own childhood and to things that I’d almost forgotten about.
Jade Edge
By the way, I do not know if it is just me/my account but I cannot press the like button on any of your posts, or comments for that matter. It just says loading all the time but never does 🙁
Jaya Avendel
Thanks for letting me know! I will get it fixed as soon as I figure out why it is not working.
Jade Edge
Beautiful work
Alicia Thompson
hello! what a great post, you’re so talented! I found this really beautiful to read, thanks for sharing! Alicia
Unwanted Life
Another fantastic poem. The first part caused me to think of calorie counting and dieting. By the second part with the talk of swimming pools, I’d been pulled towards that American ideal of having a house with a pool, especially in places like Florida, the kind of thing you see in films
Jaya Avendel
I do not have a pool but, then, I do not live in Florida. 🤣
Thanks for sharing your unique read!
barbaraleaver
I can truly relate to the ‘Tired old windchime”. Lovely work.
Jordanne || Ofaglasgowgirl
What a beautiful poem, it’s so beautifully written and I love the rhythm to it as well. I really liked the beginning and the journey it took me on.
Giulia
Lovely writing as always.
Kait
Lovely poem! I really like the visuals and details you included. Your writing is wonderful!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so much, Kait!
Anika
A wonderful picture of childhood and youth painted here! Definitely makes me feel a little reminiscent. Lovely poem!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Anika! Love that you felt some childhood memory here.
Della Driscoll
I really loved this poem and the way it bounces from line to line x
Her Digital Coffee
Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece! I felt so safe and comfortable reading it because it too, reminded me of childhood. I love the descriptions of the honeysuckle, the letters and zip codes, wheeler street, the red brick, and the copper mailbox.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for sharing the little pieces of imagery that caught your eye!
Mariella
This was beautiful and fills me with nostalgia. I’m still living at home and I adore my house & neighborhood. I try not to think about having to leave. This was powerful!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Mariella! Loving a place all the more makes it tough to even think about leaving, I know. <3
Jodie | That Happy Reader
A beautiful sentimental memory Jaya! I visualize my own home of my childhood in your words. Thank you for sharing.
Michele Lee
I have lived in many places too, Jaya. The little things we remember, like red brick walls and lions on guard. Moving is challenging, but your gorgeous poem reminds me of the many gifts found in each place and how each place changes us in some way. Maybe I wouldn’t want it any other way.💖
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Michele! I love how you read this so hopefully and beautifully.
Michele Lee
Your poems are a pleasure to read. Thank you! 🙏🏼
Corinne
Love the beautiful ending! As always.
Corinne x
lifestyleseason
Amazing poem! Your writing is beautiful! Thank you for sharing! Love the ending!
Lisa's Notebook
It’s strange the things that stick with us from our childhood, isn’t it? For me, it’s old telephone numbers! And I do remember the post boxes on the corners of our streets as well – thank you for the nostalgia prompt, Jaya 🙂
Jaya Avendel
Love that you felt the nostalgia in this piece, Lisa!
taurusingemini
We all, keep these, memories, of our you ger years, and, we can’t, evet, get, rid of ghem, completely, they’re, whatade us into, who we, currently, are.
Jaya Avendel
Love the way you phrase this thought!
A Sustainably Simple Life
I’m moving in a couple of weeks so this had a relevant ring to it for me. I’ve been thinking of how much I’ve moved (almost every year!) and how those places each fade into the story of my life. I felt that in your words here 🙂
Jaya Avendel
“Fade into the story of my life”
I love how this piece touches base with your life! Thank you for sharing.
Ruth| Ruthiee loves Glamour
Thank you for another lovely poem Jaya! I loved this line – ½ Wheeler Street, I cherish in memory, Still vibrant with ink. It made me think of all those lovely memories I have. Thank you for sharing!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Ruth! 1/2 Wheeler Street holds certain appeal for me too.
Dominic Alapat
A beautiful and joyous poem I loved reading!
cafebeauty2021
Very lovely poem, thank you for sharing.
Jeff Flesch
A beautiful reminiscence of what was, is, and will be…lovely, Jaya.
Charity
I loved reading this! You are always so talented with your writing and your words just flow across the page so beautifully!
summer with monika
what a deeply satisfying poem… I take from it coming of age, awakening, and a meaningful ever after
Jaya Avendel
Love your reading of this! Thank you.
summer with monika
and I love reading you
Gemma Jayne
Beautiful poem. You always write in such a way that touches the soul and brings nostalgia and memories, thank you for sharing x