familiar place feeling

She moved into a house just down the street

A block past the place she lived as a young girl

Going back to her childhood neighborhood

After a lifetime living on the opposite coast.

“I feel so comfortable here” she confides

As we walk the street of her early life history

Looking up at the corner bedroom window

Where she first looked out at the world.

I imagine the face of innocence there

As she tells us what she saw from that window

Watching a large desperately poor family

Living across the street next to the vacant lot.

We are retracing her walk to elementary school

Cutting a diagonal across the grass of a square park

As she points out her favorite fantasy houses

She is living the dream to be where she is now.

At last she has gotten a house of her own

After so many years in the close quarters of tiny apartments

Free to fix it up nicely to suit her tastes and host friends

Planting a lovely garden of everything she likes.

Her sisters and cousins are near
And many Wallflower women friends, too
And now she has a group of comrades around
Gathering everything in one place.

We come to visit for a few days to enjoy her space

Appreciating all the work she has put into her home

Watching her partner setting stones to make a border

Fitted together beautifully as his labor of love for her.

Walking past an alley brings back a best friend memory for her

Of the line that marked the middle for them to meet

Halfway between their houses to head off to adventures

Though sadly that friend is now lost to all contact.

Some trees are gone, too, along with the people

And some new houses alter the viewscape here and there

Occupied by a new generation drawn to the scene

But for her the familiar place feeling remains rooted here.

She lives an active life engaged with young people

A retired teacher who continues to instruct the youth

Recruiting the idealists who want to bring about change

Leading the way to win peace and justice for all.

We help with some home improvement projects

And contribute to the political organizing discussion

Glad to be together with good friends sharing good food

Watching a hummingbird as we sit in her yard.