Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE OLD RAIL FENCE, by MARTHA GRASSHAM PURCELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE OLD RAIL FENCE, by                    
First Line: I never see a gray rail fence
Last Line: Whatever fate befall.
Subject(s): Craftsmanship


I never see a gray rail fence,
With angles in and out,
But that I ponder o'er and o'er
Just how it came about:

Who felled the Chestnut, monarch grand?
Who cleft the heart of Oak?
Who split the rails, so uniform,
With sure and steady stroke?

Who "laid the worm" with vision true,
O'er hill and dale and plain,
So that who builded on this base
Had worry ne'er again?

Who knew to balance angles so
That though the fence built tall,
It served not only pioneer,
But sons, descendants all?

So may we choose our timbers strong
The fence of life to make!
So may we lay the pattern down
For who come in our wake;

And may our lives be balanced so,
Though angles sharp there be,
We'll calmly stand secure and strong,
So he who runs may see

Just silver gray, the crown of age,
Enduring work through all,
And know that each can thus build life,
Whatever fate befall.





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