1.2 I Live in an Old House

I LIVE IN AN OLD HOUSE

by Eric Chaet

I live in an old house,
not as well made as it might have been,
but I’m grateful for the shelter.
Before I have to surrender it
for lack of breath or ability to pay taxes,
& before it falls in on me,
I work at shoring it up,
improve what I can—
shell, foundation, plumbing, & wiring—
I’m clumsy, impatient, & ignorant!—
& struggle within it
to create something valuable that will outlast me
& this so-called civilization, crumbling all around.

///

///

Picture: Bosch