Mistaken houses

Nowadays Houses are mistaken for home

The interior design is proudly outsourced
What else can explain a ready-to-move-in home, we pay for
Expect the walls in each room customized
For every family member
While talking away rights
Of children to doodle on them
Or an elders tremor staining them
Don’t you feel such houses are
based more on market trends rather than
The likes and needs of family members

When the house is more of a status symbol
Rather than your own cosy private space

When they are indicators of progress
Of material possession that ranks a family
in social space

When they are bigger than your needs
When they are filled with furniture
Just bought to utilize space and not to be used

The house that was supposed to be
Occupied and turned into a home
These days come decked up with
Art on its wall that rarely represents people living in there
Rather is an attempt to
either intimidate others or to fit in a social class

And the little art sculptures on the shelf
Sadly have no memories attached
except for that
Cheque in the name of decor company

The stories are lost, and connections missing
even before being given a chance to be made
Because the new vibe and feel of this house is more like that social media filter
But only that it is in the real world

A house transforms into a home gradually not instantly
Stories and memories are forged
While people share it & live in it
Some happy others sad it is a mixed bag
House develops and grows into a home incrementally
Its walls are testimony of people living and growing up in there

But when money rules your roost
Emotions and incremental transformation of a house into a home
becomes a lame idea

The claims of builders and realtors fall flat
Despite the strength of iron in its foundation
and the excess of space, the bonds of a family often weaken

The serene views outdoors when not shared together
End up haunting you more than being a delightful view
you hoped it would be