Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Poem: The Hole in the Wall


The Hole in the Wall


The carpenter is meticulous,
carefully cutting, layer by layer.
Plaster. Lathe. Studs.

Slowly opening up the wall
between the duplexes
to make the house whole

for the first time in six generations,
flooding each room with new light,
letting sound and bodies flow

letting lives, once separated,
join together
as one.

It is not an easy task.
There are obstacles that show themselves:
ancient wiring that must be moved,

odd framing that must be worked around.
fragile plaster that falls at a touch,
but slowly, each is overcome,

Today, the house feels like a wreck
with debris and dust strewn everywhere,
but even now, with the ruins of the work all about you,

with all that is unfinished,
you can see what will be,
and believe in the beauty of the future, seeing

in these two rooms conjoined, a reflection
of life, and love,
of hope and promise.

=============

The photograph is from my new home in West Pawlet, Vt., where this weekend my next door neighbor opened up two rooms for me, as well as opened up a stairwell. You can click on it for a larger version.

Tom

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Tom,

Frustrating and inspiring by turns, this sort of work. How wonderful it will be when you are finished and can really begin to live.

gingerhillery@mac.com said...

Love the image of restoration. Oh the hard and messy work needed to help the house be what it was created to be! It is great (and helpful) to have vision.

Tess Kincaid said...

Wow, this is exciting! I'll be looking forward to seeing the finished project. Restoration is a beautiful thing, isn't it?

FireLight said...

"Letting lives once separated join together..." I think you will be very happy in this place...I have missed your words, Tom

Lyn said...

It's very good to be able to see what will be..good luck with this endeavor, and your poetry! Thank you...

The lady in Red said...

Incredible, you are a fabulous artist. I am looking forward to hearing from your "work" in the restauration,
Best wishes,
Rosana