the house you built
still stands, shaken
but unbroken
the rooms you nested within
then drifted apart inside
wait here, the other side
of pretending
for you to shed, finally
the character you learned so well
in gesture & inflection practiced
until believable
your mouth no longer fits
dialogue you memorized
& forms unscripted words,
flowering & spilling on the floor. your floor,
not a stage where you play at life
cued to how was your day, dear?
the rooms wait
the world waits
for you to stop
playing house
the door you locked
is open now
Susan Daniels Poetry 
really like the ending – stop playing house and open to the real- good lines
Bruce–thank you!
Wonderful … this had the flavor of a song !!!
Thank you, GS. You know, maybe with a few more repetitions, they could be lyrics…
beautifully put
Thanks, Kyle. Had no choice when that image popped into my mind earlier 😉
lyrics to live by susan. i don’t wanna play house. remember that song? i do and i agree.
love you sfam
Oh, so glad you liked it, and so glad you don’t wanna play house 😉
🙂 ty
Wonderful punchline!
Oh, thank you Julie!
another proverb!
🙂
This is so well sung, Susan. I like it!
thank you very much, Noel. One of those random poems that pops into one’s head in the middle of a conversation.
The last line looks superfluous to me (but that’s just me) 🙂
You are so right! Better without it 😉
Thanks!
That first paragraph found a sensitive spot, and…
sorry, Nelle. hope it did not twist too hard in it.
I’m wondering if there isn’t just a little bitterness in that closing 😉