30 Day Picture Prompt Challenge

Imagination

Someday I shall build an amazing house, high atop a hill
with a view of the mountains meeting the sea out every window sill.
A grand, deep porch will wrap around hugging rocking chairs
and baskets will hang from iron hooks with flowers to scent the air.

The front door will have a stained glass tree inset in ebony wood
with an ornate lock for an ornate key as every magic house should.
But you, my friend won't need a key, for you the door will open wide
because I can't imagine a home where you are not inside!

A river-rock fireplace would roar regardless of rhyme or reason
with apple-wood boughs and cherry too, and balsam, of course, in season.
Shelves interspersed with reading nooks would line the sage green walls
Filled will all my favored books so some day I can read them all.

No logical placement, just piled and stacked, opened wide or standing on end.
Most bookmarked with ribbons, (no dog ears please) on especial passages penned.
Glass walled cases of turquoise and gold containing oddball treasures:
a phoenix feather, a favored poem and other things priceless beyond measure.
Against the wall a collection of staffs, quirky branches and walking sticks
along tables of mahogany boxes and sweet-smelling candles with crackling wicks.

Long leather couches with tiger claw feet on carpets of Persian persuasion,
tufted ottomans and a chenille chaise lounge: seating for every occasion.
In the corner a grandiose grandfather clock (with the numbers reversed) will stand
that chimes fourteen three times a day and lacks an hour hand.

A cat will sleep sprawled on the back of a chair, a hound will look dead by the door,
til it’s dinner time, when they’ll come to life, sliding and furring across the floor.
The hound, he’ll be named Hemingway, the cat, perhaps, Lautrec—
Together they’ll be my audience, be at my call and beck!

The table in the dining room shall be able to seat twenty two
so I’ve room to invite whomever I want and still have room for you.
Comfy chairs, and rolls to toss, a lazy-Susan and a warming tray
so food stays hot for when hunger calls, regardless of the time of day.

The kitchen will sport tons of counter space, and maybe an island or three,
more cabinets than I’ll ever use and a window seat just for me.
A six slice toaster and an over-sized griddle, for when there’s many mouths to feed
and a pantry the size of Delaware stocking anything I’d ever need.

Back and front stairs that wind and bend lit by chandeliers
and stained glass windows of places I’ve seen in my travels over the years.
At least six bedroom suites, each painted a different hue
with names like larkspur or marigold so I can remember where went who.

Each room would have a canopied bed covered with silk duvet,
a genii lamp, a fireplace: a most comfortable place to stay.
A cubby-hole desk, of course, with a journal encouraging one to write
and a map of the house because it changes, each and every night.

Some of my most favorite parts of my home are the ones that you might miss
unless you go exploring, if you don't, you'd be remiss.
Tiny stairs next to fireplaces to sneak in spare wood,
glass walled arboretum, oh find it! You should!

A secret room if you can find the key,
will take some thinking; won’t be easy, you see.
T’will be right in plain sight, but that won’t help a bit
like trees for a forest you might miss it.

Venture into the attic up under the eaves,
that I’ll fill full of treasures I’ll find in Belize,
Or Madagascar or Paris, France.
I’m sure you will find it; but you must take a chance!

It might be hidden near a flamingo’s nest,
(I’ll put that in the alcove facing west.)
Might be a way in behind a brick in the wall--
(The one that’ll painted like leaves in the fall.)

I’ll put a monkey in the library and a donkey in the hall,
on antique key paper, my keynote speech framed on a wall,
a rusty set of skeleton keys but they’ll be up high, out of reach
and a key-lime pie in the fridge, but that'll be there to eat.

Perhaps in the library where I'll keep an extra computer
or tablets to borrow, you could find one to suit, or
whatever you like, be free, feel at ease;
just don't be complacent, pretty please!

I will hide a treasure to you from me;
just find the lock that fits the key.
A writer’s mind should worthy be,
able to discern the apogee.

All this and more
will I have in my place
if ever I have good luck
with the fates.
But have it I shall
for I’ve found my own key
I’ll simply write it,
and it
will be!







(827 words)