Blessing the House

I love this house as much as trouble does
and so, in opposition to the fire
the flood the broken glass the blood
the tireless tiresome lumbering in the yard
the wolf with keys the mindless cunning
in the cellars and the green roof space
I might I must concoct a form of words
to drive it out and keep it out. Enough.
Begin with that. And end, perhaps.

Copyright © 2004 Ann Sansom All rights reserved
from In Praise of Men and other people
Bloodaxe Books Ltd. / Dufour Editions
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission