It Was Never Just A Brick – Poem About Downsizing
This poem, ‘It Was Never Just A Brick’ is a poem About downsizing and how it feels to say goodbye to a family home after living there for over 25 years.
It was one of the toughest things that we all had to do. Aside from family loss, it was incredibly hard, as we all loved our home, the local community, and, of course, we had many wonderful and happy times there.
The removal company that managed the big move is based in Hampshire https://www.sunnysideremovals.co.uk/ and they were simply outstanding. They were professional, empathetic, had a great sense of humour, and were incredibly efficient! We were all in awe of the way they handled us, as a family, throughout the whole process and especially during the move itself.
Most of us will have to move away from somewhere that we love one day, where the memories are strong and the love that we shared feels as if it lives so deep in every single brick. It was such an emotional wrench to leave; we were all a little heartbroken at the time. But… today, a good few weeks on, we are all settled and we love our new home. After all of the pain, limbo and heartache, I realised that it was never just a brick, it was always about our precious family and all that we had experienced in our lovely home.
So this poem I hope, is a reminder to make the most of every single moment and to know that as long as you are all together and safe, you will be ok. Time moves at a pace, but it is not a race; we need to stop and take the moments in, because one day, when things change, you will look back and ask yourself, “Did I make the most?”
Please make the most x
It Was Never Just A Brick
The walls will still whisper our family’s trace
memories stitched into abandoned curtain seams
footsteps echo in the furniture-less place
chipped paint, worn bannisters, childhood dreams.
The staircase twists where footsteps flew
ghosts of bedtime stories flow
tiny feet to bigger shoes
dance through rooms where love would grow.
The kitchen fuss where food was served practical and bold
highchairs, bigger seats and longer legs
tales from school, college then work, animatedly told
toast and tea mornings, washing hanging tightly onto the pegs.
The garden, holds the fun, the splashes
it holds the balls that zoomed into the goal
the little legs and their excitable dashes
scratched knees, collecting of leaves, good for the soul.
In from the cold, the fire lit
cosy together in the living room
cuddles and treats and bit by bit
a film or two nostalgically consumed.
Now, to lock the door, to turn away
A house once filled with all we loved and knew
to leave behind our precious yesterday
yet home was never just a brick; it was you, it was you…
Mandy Dineley – My Beautiful Pen
Artwork by the gorgeously talented: https://www.instagram.com/3milyallen_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=bmRqdWI0MGYydWN6
I was thrilled to have had this poem read out on The Brew With The Bennetts Podcast Episode 190. I am thrilled as this is my favourite podcast, it’s just brilliant, so much so, that they have me laughing all the way to and fro from my many poetry workshops and gigs! Please do have to listen if you can, it’s so much fun, here is the link to their podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/6LrAZ9VaJgFqUpVlT2Ib61?si=e05a00b6340d4823
To get in touch and find out more about my services please go to https://www.mybeautifulpen.uk/songwriter/ I would love to hear from you, if you would love a personalised poem written for you.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my poem x
Love Is Poem
