the stoop

this stoop has seen
kisses in the night
drunken laughter
heavy gardening
friendly embraces
lonely tears
lunch and dinner
growing pains
a million cigarettes
moonlit conversations
crazy dancing
screaming rows
cooking bonanzas
leisurely manicures
sunbathing marathons
silent hugs
imaginative planning
an excited entrance
many many stays
and a final, painful, incredibly heartwrenching goodbye

goodbye palm tree, goodbye gooseberry, red currant, thorny bush, japanese tree, rosemary from ravensbourne, crocuses planted anyoldhow, roses from sainsbury's, hydrangea, and that plant that never quite survived but is still there hidden away behind the lovely bay tree. goodbye vauxhall. goodbye heyford avenue. goodbye.