The Ol' Barn

There was a barn once painted red that stood on grandpa's old homestead. T'was built so very long ago - a sorry sight. I told him so. I often, as a boy, had wondered why it hadn't ever timbered. I knew the sagging rafters creaked and roof, with missing shingles, leaked. I stepped inside, the barn doors gone and found it home for sparrows' song. Circled they, around freely, over floors in man's debris. No matter which way I would glance, dust in the sunlight rays would dance. The warning cobwebs seemed to sketch. Between the timbers, they would stretch. Foundation laid in cobblestone but its sure footing wasn't known. Between the stones were gaping cracks that could not hide the basic facts. Now every post in building leaned, and wall to wall had needed cleaned. The winter winds would whistle through. That big ol' barn had lost, I knew. The weather's sin had taken toll and wind and sleet had found its soul. Its only purpose, couldn't render - so it offered full surrender. Now that ol' barn is much like us and in our wants, we make a fuss. Our sagging souls are so uncouth that we no longer seek the truth. Deceit flies in our open door 'til we care little anymore. We’d rather compromise instead as cobwebs fill our empty head. Our minds are filled in sins' debris with anyone whom we'd agree. The love is lost between our bones. It leaves us cold with loosened stones. Will our beliefs stand firm, upright - or will we yield to windy blight? Are we responsible instead, or is our character really dead? Down through the years, the time has lapsed and long ago that barn collapsed. As I look now at its demise I listen to the worlds last cries.... ©2008 louis gander / ganderpoems.org