Crude and Incomplete Structure in the Woods / Jon Goerlitz

Children built this house. They saw fit
To make the vaulted doorway first of all,
And only after this considered walls.
But technique is sound. Roof is well knit.

It’s at least safe from rain or sleet, although
Three of six walls are lacking; or but three
Of six were needful, not to miss these does
Go quietly past, oblivious of me.

It might be much in God’s way to commission
These creatures of such fugitive ambition,
A troop of laughing children, to construct
His City out of Sticks, and Bark, and Muck.

Jon Goerlitz is a graduate of EMU in Ypsilanti, where he studied English literature. He
has been writing poems for years, but has only recently sought to publish them.