home no more

little cottage on the hill
lime washed walls, timber frame
holds a million memories

only memories.
father’s gone to sleep
beside mother under stars.
children have flown away.

the pine tree is cut down
the poinsettia too,
red geranium, gladioli and dahlia
they all died, one by one.

and though it’s christmas time
we’re not going home
there’ll be no christmas tree
for home is home no more.

when spring comes
wild daisies may bloom again
but we won’t be going home
home is home no more.