Assemblage of the Incognito Porch

In these parts dead forests run to the center dry Bed rocks ring hollow in deep basins opened wide Water no longer meets the cabin door Since the lake became emptied by some force Irrigation comes at a cost The lake had to disappear of course Drained under some false pretense Someones profit for what its worth Farmers upstream blocked the rivers entrance Tributaries became empty, ended at the source Gone with nothing more Woods grow old before their time Roots shrink from thirst and heat Water stops at the edge to center Evaporates, starting at the shore Assemblage of the porch goes on Quietly green birds cry out in pain Parched land remains, fish die Killed but not forgotten Wild ducks and hunter owls departed Hard work goes on as is expected As required, the cabin stands alone In isolation, with what is left of sanity Metal tools are needed in this instance To build an entrance, an extension to the soul By mid day the steps are laid Floor boards set to hold a rocking chair Thick copper nails drive home a point By the bearded man in dark sunglasses Hiding under a sombrero afternoon Somber hammering echos out hollow sounds Over the rock beds that once held water high Continues under a scorching sun that follows At evening when work is finished, sleep steps in Oceans assemble by the completed cabin porch In a dream, rise to the level of the door once more Evaporates by morning, disguised as tidal forces