Photograph by John Jeffries, Baker City, Oregon
PLACE
ON THE PLAIN
Beyond the brook backlit dark
Dies a start stark structure on the plain
Roof gone, boards exposed to rain
The man has reined up there
His horse stamps, shakes his mane
The man dismounts, bows as to hear
Axed tree crack to the ground, adze bark, wood
Saw, plane, square block and tackle hoist, heat
Bobs red bandannas to hammer beat til it stood
Did people here gather, children play
Did cattle find shelter, horses feed
Did any regret the place's decay
The man removes hat, holds it to chest
The brook flows before him wherever it must
Thought furrows his brow, his horse crops the grass
