Broken - Down House

Shards of window glass

shimmer in

weed-strewn sod.

Roof shingles clap

with the wind,

a spontaneous ovation

for the dwelling

that once was.

With creaking voices

dark halls repeat

long-gone conversations.

Too much decay

too much damage

violent elements

have disrespected

the Carpenter's dream.

the sagging-porch frown

tells a painful story

of beauty shattered.

All that's left

is a

broken-down house.

- Paul David Tripp