The walls talked to me

   It was a very cold evening, as I came upon the abandoned, beauty, nestled against the pale sky.  The house was surrounded by a cast iron fence, and  tall grass and weeds that reached up to the lower, windows.  The home looked stable, from where I was standing.  Fully in tact!  As I approached the garage door, which was opened, I noticed that the ceiling had fell down.  Truly, this garage was not in as great shape, as I had first thought.  It look as if it had burned, but after further investigation, I saw that it had rotted.  Splinters of wood blocked the open doorway, that went into the house.  I wanted to take a peek inside.  The door was wide open and I thought I could squeeze between the splintered wood and the door facing.  I was slithering through the door when something fell upon my head.  I ran out the door, afraid that spiders had covered me.  Fortunately it was just some debris from the rafters.
   I peeked through the door and saw a house, almost untouched.  There was a kitchen, a sink full of stuff, and cabinets full of dishes, and a table with four chairs.  Looking as if the table was ready to be set for supper.  Pics and trivets hung on the walls. It was as if the people of the house, had just walked a way.
   There was some damaged caused by the time, that the house has remained empty.  Some of the windows were broken and there was some water damage.  The floors were solid, yet dirty,  the wallpaper was falling off and paint, most likely, lead based, was peeling.  Surprisingly, the house was warm inside.  There was no heat and the windows were broken, yet the house was warm.  The temps outside were frigid!  Inside, it was comfortable.
    I wandered into the living room area.  There were mirrors and photographs hanging on the walls.  A large stereo system, set beside the front door.  There were  couches and chairs, in the room, and  curtains still hanging on the windows.  I pause to take it all in.  I am alone, surrounded by treasures and all is silent.  There was not a sound.  No birds were singing, no cars passing by.  Nothing.  I just stood there in the silence, taking pictures of what is left behind.  Suddenly, without warning, I hear the sound of the walls.  It was as if the walls were talking to me. No voices, just noises!  I stood there listening. It was as if a waterfall was flowing between the walls.  A water sound.  Yet the house was fully under roof and  no rain for days.  As quickly as it started.  It stopped.  Again, nothing!  All silent, once again. 
      I shrug it off.  It was just the sounds from an old, abandon house.  Who knows what caused it?  I continue photographing.  As I lean forward to take a pic of an old photograph on the wall, one of those black and whites in an old frame, I felt a gust of wind hit me in the face.  Startled I move away from the photo.  Oh, yes!  The window is missing a pane of glass.  That had to be what it was.  I leaned forward to take another shot of the child's photo on the wall. Again a gust of wind kissed my face.  The curtains were not moving.  Was there something more going on here?  I decided to move on into another room.  Going into the bedroom.  There was a beautiful brass bed.  It had white sheets and a pink ruffle, on  top of the comforter, in the center of the bed,was one, red rose.  There was an old shift-robe cabinet, and a dresser with a brush and mirror on the side of it.
   I had no fear, going through this place.  There was no yuck factor, as I had experienced in many other houses, that I have been in.  I was very comfortable and I am sure that at one time, there was a lot of love inside these walls. The bedroom was a very cozy room. Family photos plastered all around the room.  Beautiful young women smiling down at me, as young men looked on.  I continued  exploring, and once again was startled by the sounds, that seemed to come from within  the walls or the soul of the house.  Like fingers going down the bedroom walls, breaking the silence.  With a subtle, yet noticeable sound.  It was not loud.  Just a soft tap, as if it was trying to let me know it was there, not to scare me but soothe.
   Leaving the cozy, master bedroom, I made my way up the stairs.  There was a small landing, right before reaching the second floor.  At the landing there was a cabinet full of antique glass wares.  So lucky, that I was able to see this before some vandals or thieves destroyed them.
     I walk into a sewing room, a sewing machine sitting in the middle of the room.  It was sad seeing it there,  without the hands of some little old lady, toiling away, making things for her loved ones.  Stray pieces of fabric, scattered along the floor. No longer needed for projects that were put on hold.  Is that a tear in my eye?  
    On to the next room.  A library, I believe.  There are shelves of books, certificates on the wall, and a bible on the desk.  Year books from the 50's and 60's stacked high in the corner.  There is a lot of clutter in this room but also so many memories.  Books, and certificates of achievements. 

 

    There is another bedroom.  The drawers  pulled halfway out of the dresser, revealing lots of women's clothes.  Various colors, from pinks to blues, to blacks.  Family photos strewn about on top of the bureau.  There were recent pictures as well as older ones, aged by time.  A wash bowl and mugs in front of the dresser mirror.  On the bed there was a stack of 45's.  More memories from a time gone by.  I can almost hear the happy music playing in this room.  I always try to connect with the places I explore.  I feel joy and love here.  I would loved to have met the woman of the house.
    Well, it is getting late and it is time for me to head home.  Before I go I must stop by the storage room, for some final shots.  Making my way down the hall to the next,  I once again hear the soft sound, in the wall.  The sound, unknown to me.  No, it was not critters!  I know what squirrel, racoon,birds and mice sound like.  It was different.  It was as if someone was walking through the house with me.  I was not scared.  As a matter of fact it was comforting.
     In the  storage room, I was surrounded by deer heads.  Some were does and some were bucks.  There was more antique glass, and figurines.  Christmas decorations thrown into the corner of the room.  I hate to do it but I have to go.  I have a long drive and it is getting late.  So I must say so long to this house, it's treasures and the .walls that talked to me!  I won't forget you, me beauty.  So far you are my favorite find. It will take a lot for me to find one that I like better.  I bid you farewell.  I hope one day I can return and find you just as I have left you.