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 pictures of family trees, oak 


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 show them how to rise

to the rustle at the camp’s core. 


The tribe is heading out; 

you won’t want to live here anymore.


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