Poetry 1 - 238 (1968)

                           


2   3   8

(by Warren Maloney – January 1968 – on the sale of the family home at 238 Lygon Street Carlton)

 

            Sixty-two years and it did not belong.

            the wall-paper tattered, the stair-case faltered,

            as the memories gathered for the mourning.

 

            "member when Ronnie crawled in the ceiling,

             and when ray was born.”

            “member the lane, the pigeons, the punch-bag,

            and the premature wireless cabinet.”

 

            but do memories cherish the brick in the wall,

            or the fourth step on the stairs,

            or the 60-watt globe in the hall?

 

            no, they cherish the Rs and the Ks,

            the lodgers, the strangers, the joy, the love,

            that nurtured in 238.


            Sigh satisfied 238, you do belong; 

            the seed lies not on barren ground.


238 Lygon St Carlton - 1939



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