The Retaining Wall ~ An Ode

The Retaining Wall

The blocks of this wailing wall remain unset

Hopes in niches like the scattered post-noon sun

Nearly a year has passed us now, since we dragged them round

Set in neat square piles, then forming rows

Then back to piles and back again.

We had no dirt, an absurd thought

There is dirt everywhere, seemingly, unwantedly

But not that soft, precious, loamy soil

Lent green, a growing darkness in its texture

A knowing wealth toward some mind-green purchase.

The retaining wall is untrained and unrestrained

Blockless, untackled, except for the footing

Still it remains unleveled, tilting, drifting

While the newfound land and store-bought soil, drifts

And lifts toward the permanence of concrete being.

This slow, unmerciful neglect

Is a put-off for the spring – March air

Where we fear no more the chance of frost.

We still don't know what plants to want

and whether choosing beauty, fruit, or passion.

I prefer palms, reading forbidden futures

Which plantings will out-last our short abidance here

Growing old and full without us

A sprout of posterity

Though we will bask in the thrill of beauty

Allusion~an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.

Pun~a witticism exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings.

While they're young.

T,R. Moore ~January 18, 2017