Another Century

Vol. XIV No. 4 - FALL/WINTER 2003-4

By: Kathy Gemperle

The house is poorly dressed in

depression brick

of tired white and brown

the columns holding the

wide front porch that once

provided respite from

household demands

worn from

weathered assaults to the

footings

stand firm

the windows crusted with paint

and urban film

creak when opened for

gentle breezes from the lake

But it is still standing

on a block

alone

Where after one hundred years

the others have been

replaced

one remains

caught between the

corner store and the

apartment hotel

confined and precious

a glimpse of elegance

inside.

(This poem was written after a visit to the beautiful home at 6212 N. Winthrop in preparation for the Spring 2002 Home Tour)

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