house on the corner

the boards
against the old
house
are peeling
of paint.
a layer of blue,
is showing pink.
the nails, heads
rusted,
are sliding
out
from where they
were pounded in
years ago.
wood twisting
towards the sun.
the gaps
between windows
let
the air in,
the air out.
some panes are cracked
or with
holes showing
the dark within.
a brick is missing
from
the chimney
where birds
have nested,
squirrels
have made a home.
how the roof sags,
tired
from snows.
exhausted by wind.
shutters bang,
hung loosely by
one screw.
it's not your
house, but at times
you've felt
like you've lived
there time and
time again.