Regarding the Door

September 18, 1998

The door is the start of the work.

First, decide how tall, wide, thick,

whether pine, oak, or wrought iron,

the heft of the knob.

Then you measure, mark

lintel and post, frame the house,

decide the roof's pitch. Tin or slate?

Plaster or panels to close in the walls?

As you saw, sand, nail, and paint

the rest of the house,

resolve if your door

will stay locked, or open.