by Rachelle de Bretagne

Created on: April 09, 2009

Decorating the empty nest.

While wiping down the baseboard paint, a thought occured to me,
Of a little girl in bright red shoes, when she was only three.
That mark still clear upon the board, reminders of the past,
It's time to let the memory go, and fill that hole at last.

The ink stain on the carpet makes me really stop and think,
Of a Barbie doll with ink stained hair, she tried to dye it pink.

The window seat is worn and creased, her voice still echoes here
As she gazed upon the world outside and shed a single tear.

For the bird she nursed in cardboard box that sat upon the floor,
I remember how she cared for it with the little girl next door.
The door still squeaks the way it did, I'd listen through the night,
As caring mothers always do, so that their child's alright.

And on the wall, removing all the paper that she chose,
It almost seems a shame to change her choice for shades of rose.
A mark or two upon the plaster left by felt tipped pen,
Where the wall chart hung to measure her, reminds me once again.

Of childhood days which now are gone, I sand the walls 'til clean,
And think of when that girl was born, and all the years between.
The scratches where she threw her shoes, the wardrobe's broken doors,
Where her ballroom gown hung proud and long, and brushed against the floors.

The quilt we made together looks a little shabby now,
But even though I'll change the room, I'll keep that anyhow.
In every corner of the room, those childhood memories lurk,
They always fill my mind with hope and watch me as I work.

She's all grown up and left the nest, it's time to start anew,
While memories surround me in each little shade of blue.
Though when the decoration's done, and the room's a better state,
I'm left with all the memories paint can't obliterate.

Full circle, she'll return to me, my grandchild at her side,
With smiling optimistic face, and eyes that open wide,
As she sees the room that grandma made with time which was well spent,
And made me grateful for that thought of a little baseboard dent.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.