Wednesday, October 13, 2021

OLD BARNS

WEEKLY SCRIBBLINGS and we're to feature a symbol or object of importance to us.  My mind went to my fascination for old barns and abandoned houses.  Many years ago I took some oil painting lessons, and naturally I painted old barns!  One such is depicted below.  Submitted to Poets & Storytellers United, October 13, 2021



I wonder why I’m drawn to abandoned houses

and falling down old barns

and why it is my mind wanders to 

how life must have been, 

who was the last person who lived there

and why did they leave.

Am I an old soul, wandering aimlessly

in this generation, as if transported

by some mysterious time machine

taking with me the memories

of that time and place in the pages of time.

What does it mean to be an old soul

and is there such a thing as reincarnation.

Karma seems to make sense

when I wonder why bad things happen

to good people, and if they are

paying back big time for wrongs in some past life.

 If we are to learn a lesson in each lifetime

 what am I to learn in this one.

Have I learned it or will I have to

do this all again.


10 comments:

  1. I've always thought that souls that take the time to appreciate what was, and to imagine and sense of why said places/people were, are very wise. I love how the poem lets me imagine myself wandering with you, exploring those old barns and houses through art, painting their stories.

    I, too, have a special place in my heart for old barns, old houses, and old graveyards.

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  2. Poignant question Bev
    " If we are to learn a lesson in each lifetime

    what am I to learn in this one."

    Much💜love

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  3. I love your poem, at once thoughtful and fanciful. And you are such a loving person, Bev, I am sure you must have learned all lessons well.

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  4. This is mighty fine writing ... the allure of most things old is mighty powerful and your questions are the kind that need pondering. Wonderful, Bev.

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    1. Totally forgot to say how much I love your art! You are a talented lady!

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  5. I say you have learned it but have forgotten it now?
    I like the lines,
    "who was the last person who lived there and why did they leave.
    Am I an old soul, wandering aimlessly in this generation..."
    Growing up I tramped in an old house across the hill quite a bit, as I wander through I had he same questions to ask myself. Now in passing old houses especially, but barns also, I try to get a picture. Some have been here and there on my other active blog.
    ..

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    1. I am sorry that I couldn't get to your write last Sunday. We were out of town for my sister-in-law's memorial and there wasn't much time to write. I did post though, naughty.
      ..

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  6. If we are to learn a lesson in each lifetime
    what am I to learn in this one.
    Have I learned it or will I have to
    do this all again. - Love that... old places do evoke this existential questioning... why are we here and have we done what we came for...

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  7. We have several of those old buildings dotting Bucks County. They do invite the imagination to dance in them.

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  8. Yes I share your love of old sheds settlers cottages...Love the idea of families that have lived in them before me. Good painting....!

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