Tent-Making

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Tent-Making


Stake it deep as you can. I mean really

pound it, man. Tie taut the lines 


with a double knot, stretch’em 

right to snapping, so tight 


in this breeze the walls aren’t flapping. 

Hang up oak trees, family 


trees, rooted things. Sweep clean 

the mat and feed the fire so it burns


when you’re not there to tend it. 

Make this tent your castle, 


let your kids pretend it. Roll out

a thick Persian rug on the dirt floor,


just don’t forget to rise 

to that rustle at the camp’s core. 


The tribe is heading out; 

you won’t want to live here anymore. 


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