August 18, 2005 3:15 Experiment Poem: this place
3:15am aug 18 2005 Ventura CA
more fog tonight
deep thick cold
a blanket dampening all sounds
walking through the house
in the dark in the night
naked
the full moon should be
casting shadows in every room
instead there’s an odd glow
slightly orange from the street lamps
there is still so much to do
the floor under my feet
getting rid of the ugly the hideous
the broken the old
these steep steps
but the question hangs in the fog–
do we keep pouring our evenings our weekends
our savings our paychecks
into this house when
someone could make us an offer
$850,000 and bulldoze the place
each year I’ve owned it
this place has increased
in value by $100,000
there isn’t much else out there for $500,000 and there’s
nothing out there like this
nestled in the barranca
half mile from the beach
each year painting repairing
and for two years remodeling
after six years of drama
how could I leave and let it be
torn down replaced by condos
3/4 of a million dollars is
more than seductive
in can be down right convincing
with that much money
we could go practicaly anywhere and get
something we’d like and no
longer deal with the
questions, hassles of this place
but I will miss strolling
through the house knowing
where the moon will be
shining through if the
fog wasn’t confusing matters
c. Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator
When I was looking through my poems to find one to post for today’s Poetry Train, I found this one from the 3:15 Experiment in 2005 when home prices were still soaring and interest rates were still low. Now my house is back to what it was worth in 2003.
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art predator 
The decisions we make on housing are always a gamble. you managed to turn your thoughts into a poem nicely.
Good Morning Art Predator~ I felt such a comfortableness (beyond repairs) in this home. Your deepest affections toward this house is definitely read between the lines. It’s hard to leave something familiar and start over in something not so familiar. Well done. Have a nice day.
the price is back but i am sure your heart is not…
We do grow attached to places as we grow attached to people. You made a poem from a good investment (or a good investment in a poem?)
I also wanted to let you know that I tagged you in a meme…
Thanks Tony! Poetry is a gamble too, isn’t it!
Thank you Michelle for noticing my deep affection for this house. People who visit do feel comfortable here–maybe one day you will see for yourself!
Yes, Utopian, no matter the price my heart is here.
Annamari, thank you–I will go see about this meme! I admit I am not good at following through on them–right Danika?– but will try t get to it before the week is over!
When I had to leave our house last year, I kind of felt this way.
cat story