homestead

an abandoned house
falls down from neglect
it’s true
I’ve seen it happen
loneliness rots the wood
emptiness eats away
the foundation
like a termite

keep a house
habitated and it won’t
wear out
as long as there are
feet on the floor
voices in the hall
reasons to
stay home

the one who first
drove nails into wood at
our address
couldn’t have known
we would paint
the kitchen floor
blue with purple
puppy paws

when we tore out
the plaster and lathe
I wondered
what escaped in the air
trapped in the walls
the stuff that kept
the  house from
falling down

this week our home
has housed old friends
godchildren
my in-laws who have come
to stay the summer
our well-worn house
is alive and
very well

Peace,
Milton