An Invitation To Stay

He stands at the door, takes a last look back at the empty house.

Four years have seen a daughter born there and her

brother grow into a tenacious and strong five year old.

Only four years, but so many memories to take

with all the furniture and CD’s.

Memories will stay and some will fade

like the patina of their kitchen table.

The cracked window pane brings a smile remembering

the stone flying from underneath the mower and nearly

taking the father-in-law with it. Let the buyers replace it.

He has replaced, repaired and sweated over too many things,

most of which have not put a penny on the place,

houses are sometimes not homes,

they are money without the emotional attachment.

But he’s still attached to this place with its

unapproved decks and under height downstairs rooms.

It has a charm that vibrates with him,

makes the days bright and the nights comfortable.

He remembers baptising the children

and barbequing for thirty people with a big cigar stuck

in his mouth, John Aloisi scoring the penalty

and running out on to the deck to a quiet street.

The money spent on the place was worth it.

He can feel the house saying goodbye.

It has stood for forty years and hosted many people

in this transient society. It knows so many secrets,

has heard conversations that should not be repeated,

seen the happiest moments lived by happy people

and also been saddened. Its walls absorb it all

and reflect that energy back to all who enter.

It is a happy house, because of the people it has

invited to stay.

Every owner is only a tenant.

Some of whom it has been reluctant to let leave.

The home takes them into its bosom giving comfort

and joy and nursing them through harder times.

It does not refuse ownership to anyone, just vibrates

loud enough so that a good match is made by those

who feel its unique energy and are made happy by it.

Those that bring happiness to its walls in

special ways will find it hard to sell,

the home does not want them to leave.

A sigh comes from deep within as he says goodbye to a friend.

A reluctant parting but one that will bring newer

and exciting pastures. He closes the door, locking it

for the last time. He has been invited to stay in another town

by another home that will take his family into its heart.