Faces of a House

Faces in photographs and portraits on walls and mantles

personalities that inhabit a home when no one is home ~

infants

children

teenagers

adults old and young

family groups

Each family ~ or single man, woman or child ~

changeable faces only as years pass

The personality of a house becomes

imbued with ghosts of many characters.

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If I could peep through a window

what would I see?

Would I see a faceless house before it becomes a home

awaiting new personalities?

Could I imagine new or different characters 

visiting around a new kitchen table,

greeting new guests at the door?

Would portraits suggest closets 

filled with clothing of a different preference,

shoes under beds

different sizes,

shapes and

colours

The face of a house

smiles with new life ~

a new family’s pictures 

on mantles

on walls

bring their family to life

define their past 

in their present space.

Walls remain the same,

upright and supportive;

the arms of the house that 

welcomes a new family.

The shape of the yard and garden also evolves ~

new personalities presented to the neighbourhood.

New life brings 

new style.

Ghosts of families long gone

whisper softly to new residents:

'Welcome home.'

“A face is like the outside of a house, and most faces, like most houses,

give us an idea of what we can expect to find inside.”

~ Loretta Young