Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE NEW HOUSE, by CAROLINE SALOME WOODRUFF


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE NEW HOUSE, by                    
First Line: The house was new
Last Line: Strange paradox of life!
Subject(s): Houses


The house was new
And all within it—
No little pattering footsteps
Had marred the polished floors;
No heartache, soothed in pillows,
Freshly papered walls had known;
No bounding joy had leaped adown the stairs;
No whispered vows from trembling lips
Been heard within;
No hasty, careless words recalled;
None yet had broken bread
Around the table,
Nor by the dimming fireside
Spoke heart to heart

Yes, everything was new,
A house—not yet a home.
Home is a thing of spirit,
The very walls must speak,
The atmosphere be charged
With living, loving, throbbing human hearts;
Sometimes with joy must yet have well nigh burst;
Eyes dimmed with weeping.
These only make a home,
Strange paradox of life!





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