The Point, Newport

The Point is one of the oldest sections of Newport, going right back to the 1640s. Most of the houses on the lower end of the Point are restored colonials going back into the 1700s. Farther up Shingle Style, Victorians, and more modern house mix in. And along Washington St., which runs along Newport Harbor and where the ship captains lived, are the big houses.

Last night as I was getting ready for bed I thought of a poem I'd written about the Point years ago, and that decided me to do a photo safari up there today. I'm going to include the poem as well, but from here on in the poem will be the only words. Enjoy!

The Point - Newport 

Such a pretty street,
all gas lamps, brick walks,
and old, old houses.
What happens here at night,
after we've gone to bed
and the last, long peal
of the midnight bell has been
swallowed by the dark?
Then rockers rock
and stairs creak
with remembered weight.
Teacups clatter
and clink in their saucers
in memory of long-past parties.
Books float from shelf to table,
opening to a well-worn page,
or to the flyleaf inscribed
in a long outdated hand.
Do those who live here awaken
and tremble
at the sounds
of midnight movement?
Or do they turn and sigh,
comforted,
in the atmosphere of peaceful security?

Old houses aren't haunted;
they're just nostalgic.

-A. Roy Hilbinger, November, 1981