Thursday, February 10, 2011

Talkin' 'bout Shotgun Houses


Shotgun House


narrow rectangular, doors front and rear
see-through all the way
three to five rooms, in a row  
one behind the other, with nary a hallway 
to block flowing breezes 
spirits, ghosts pass straight through
pellets from shotguns too 
Elvis was born in one
my father grew up in one
a small footprint, smart design
the shotgun house
Posted by Helen at 11:54 AM
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27 comments:

  1. Kristen HaskellFebruary 10, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    I lived in many a shotgun house! I love them for their charm.

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  2. relFebruary 10, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Helen,
    And if we listen, they all have stories to tell.
    rel

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  3. TrellissimoFebruary 10, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Spirits and ghosts pass straight through

    Whimsical!

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  4. annell4February 10, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    Love that little house and your write for sure!

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  5. SukoFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Fits so perfectly! :)

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  6. The Blog of BeeFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Your fascinating Mag took me to research the shotgun house as I've never heard the term. I've just learned something new - thank you. Enjoyed this.

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  7. Tumblewords:February 10, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    Perfect!

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  8. DeboraFebruary 10, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    It's the first I've heard of a shotgun house. By golly, that's just what that house is! I learned something today! I love that!

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  9. jabblogFebruary 11, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    I'd never heard of a shotgun house either. That's one of the things that's so rewarding about blogging :-)

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  10. Doctor FTSEFebruary 11, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    I echo the comments here. The alarming line "pellets from shotguns too" sent me away to Google. Very good read.

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  11. Paul CFebruary 11, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    So well described these narrow homes with history and character.

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  12. LynFebruary 11, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    So imaginative..I love this, especially easy going ghosts..of course!

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  13. Kathe W.February 11, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Nice post Helen- there used to be lots of shot-gun house in POrtland til Urban Renewal tore them down for high rises....sigh...there went all the cool affordable student housing near Portland State Univ.....progress?...Not so sure.
    Happy weekend- and thanks for visitng my blog...always appreciated!

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  14. Pat - ArkansasFebruary 11, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    A wonderful take on the prompt, Helen. I often see shotgun houses, although there are not as many as there used to be.

    Thanks for your visit to and comment on my first Magpie.

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  15. LolamouseFebruary 11, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Love the juxtaposition of spirits and ghosts with pellets from shotguns! Great write!

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  16. HelenaFebruary 11, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    A simply delightful poem...and a education besides! Shotgun houses I now know of!

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  17. MargaretFebruary 11, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Loved googling the history of these. The shotgun house brought a new home design... the front porch and "sidewalk" visiting. Charming.

    Thanks!

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  18. Emily YoungFebruary 11, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    I wish I lived in a shotgun house! I love this poem.

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  19. Strummed WordsFebruary 11, 2011 at 11:38 PM

    Lacks the proper feng shui, doesn't this house though?

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  20. Dave KingFebruary 12, 2011 at 3:36 AM

    You've sold me the house - which is proof positive the poem's a topmost work. Great stuff.

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  21. SiennaFebruary 12, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    Nice sentiment. Though I know of shotgun houses, I have never actually been in one. I shall endeavor to find an open house. I am not too sure we have many here in NeBada, but I will look. ;-)

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  22. girl daydreamingFebruary 12, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    i've never been inside a shotgun house... your words help me to see inside. very nice writing.

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  23. Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis HallFebruary 13, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    lovely portrayal of the house,
    your word flow is stunning.

    Happy Sunday!

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  24. Brian MillerFebruary 13, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    small footprint, i like. had not heard of it as a shot gun house but it fits...very nice.

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  25. LydiaFebruary 13, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    New description for a small house (for me). I love this. It moves as effortlessly as, well a pellet making its way through the little charmer.
    (I like the way you credited Tess below her photo. I hope I will remember to do that in the future!)

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  26. Tess KincaidFebruary 14, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    I love that you grabbed the shotgun style house and ran with it. Nice.

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  27. ~T~February 16, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    Interesting!

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I appreciate each of you and the comments you leave ~~ thanks so much.

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