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.