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It was the longest day, and now—
imperceptibly at first—light
trickles away drop by drop just
as water evaporates from
the steel pail half-filled from the leak
of last night’s rain. The question is
will we repair the roof before
the next storm? And
how? Will we patch
as we did in the past?
Or will
we strip shingles, insulation
and all down to basic structures
which need to be replaced, not fixed?
Before reaching the longest nights,
let in nature and human rights?
Written for the Solstice
and posted in Poets United Poetry Pantry.
Copyright © 2014 S.L.Chast
Oh, I have been through the roofing-a-house thing. Sigh. I don't know about your area of the country, but my area seems to be caught in a continual rainy period. We have broken records here with downpours. We had a winter like no other last year; and it seems our summer is going to be a 'different' one as well. Hope you get the leak repaired before the next rain.
ReplyDeleteIt might take me a long time before things get fixed outside here. The shingles are curling on the south side of the roof, but my husband says it isn't leaking yet, so why bother with re-roofing? Sigh. And don't even get me started on cleaning the eavestroughs. He proudly says he's never cleaned them before and isn't about to start now.
ReplyDeleteSigh.
I can certainly relate with your solstice poem. Well done!
Luv, K
I love your poem and the wonder we all feel in need to repair-not just roofs, but ourselves. Sometimes we must start over-the easy fix is never permanent. Well Done
ReplyDeleteYes. I second this comment!
Deleteso hard to believe that we are already on the downhill side of the light...seems like we just got out of winter....will we do all we need to do while we have the light? will be be intentional with what we have left of it? i have fixed a lot outside this summer....restained the deck...pressure washed the house....worked the flower beds...
ReplyDeleteI love how you take the leaking roof to a metaphoric level. We have this opportunity..in life and for the roof.. Carpe Diem
ReplyDeleteTo me, this poem is a struggle towards how to fix ourselves. Wonderful stuff :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes full replacement is needed too.......no?..thought provoking lines Susan..
ReplyDeleteI think I would have appreciated the poem more if I didn't have a leaky roof of my own to fret over (and let's not even mention the leaks in my barn roof). Very skilled poem, though.
ReplyDeleteThis reminded me of the crack on our roof and the leak from it...
ReplyDeleteA universal conundrum.
ReplyDeleteOh its monsoon in my country also and beleive me such a releif from those freakishly hot summers!! loving rains....
ReplyDeleteHope all is well, Susan. Rain has officially arrived here, too but not yet completely crazy. Keep safe! Smiles.
ReplyDeletefascinating parallel. Cool!
ReplyDeleteZQ
i like your reference to the longest day and now the light becomes shorter. the metaphor of how we choose to tear down all of the basice structure of the applicable sound basics of our social structure rather than trying to repair those that need to be. i most enjoyed your last line:..let in nature and human rights...
ReplyDeletethis is what i read into this piece. maybe i have that proclivity to see personal perspectives.
gracias.
I like how thoughts on a leaking roof and what should be done to it lead us to ponder on how to fix our own world.
ReplyDeleteOy! The home owners' bucket list. I do remember! Generally best to do it from scratch and then it's done........aside from the cost of everything which is - ahem - through the roof these days!
ReplyDeleteLike Ella says: a complete overhaul may be necessary one of these days - as long as it isn't the need for a newer model :-)
ReplyDeleteI can't bear to read this at face value, as all those house repairs you mention are way overdue at our place.Doesn't bear thinking about.
It seems its a question of an overhaul or patch up job. I tend to work with the existing structure as a philosophy and also extend it to home maintenance and renovation...work on the work of others before me...leave something of the past...out of respect and recognition for their efforts. Do we really know better and have superior intellects or everyone who went before us?
ReplyDeleteOh very nice. I like the questions left unanswered.
ReplyDeletethis was very humble. I love the atmosphere it conveys. a good feeling for the summer time
ReplyDeleteoh man. i know about roofs leaking, soooo annoying
ReplyDeletehave a nice Sunday
much love...
I hope we rebuild, not just 'fix' our roofs. I like the literal and metaphorical meaning in your poem. So well done.
ReplyDeleteI like how you move from the ethereal - the change of light - to the very concrete - how are we to fix the leaky roof - wonderful juxtaposition - K
ReplyDeleteI think we need to go down to the basics like fixing the roof before the next storm ~ I admire the questions format Susan ~ I never thought of linking the solstice with leaking roofs ~
ReplyDeleteWe are a world that needs repair...whether it is a roof or the sin and failure of those who govern....I wish life had a simple fix...
ReplyDeleteFix or replace, that is so often the question, right? Great title for this piece.
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes we need to replace the roof so we have a sturdy base as sometimes repairs only patch the problem. We need to enjoy all the light we can before it dwindles away into winter's embrace.
ReplyDeleteOh, Susan, wish you sooner repair! Sure, we can't control things, but this is about rights too and the responsibilities!
ReplyDelete