Uploaded on December 3, 2011
The hole in the ground
Is the beginning.
The concrete solidifies;
Now the question: are we wise?
Walls are up and straight
Insulated and sided—
Doors and windows lead us in.
Our new life is about to begin.
The roof’s on: weathertight.
Flooring, paint and trim —
We’re closer; we’ll establish
A family, all that we wish.
The curtains are up
Sheets dress the bed.
Other rooms wait to be filled.
It’s alright; the wine is chilled.
Months and years go by;
Carpeting get stained.
Curtains fade in the sunlight;
Bedrooms stay empty; nothing’s right.
You leave me: no wave, no kiss.
It’s alright; I’ll get through alone
My foundation is strong.
About that, I won’t be wrong.
—Cheryl Doyle-Ruffing
12.03.2023: I wrote this poem because I was desperate for something that day. Here’s a comment I left for a couple of guys who followed me and graciously left many sweet and helpful comments: “The poem, by the by, is not autobiographical. I needed something to go with a homebuilding-type image.”