A Fence is not a Wall

Criticise and hate me if you like;
I know I don’t make life easy,
well, I was born on a fence spike.
that hurt right through me,
but at least kept me upright.

Tearing down fences started as a game
then became habit. I learned from criticism
and subsequent shame that
the railings were there for reasons I was told I needed to respect.

Tearing down fences is
sometimes a necessity
I’ve known many men who exist
in prisons of their own destiny;
I’ve watched their frustrations flow
from eyes glazed with meaningless,
heard the falsity of their grins and boasts
over repeated happy new years toasts
and years, and years and wasted years
as opportunity disappears in beers,
“cheers” and grinding gears and ever deafened ears…

A fence is not a wall so my
eyes still see the mountain –
and even further when I close them.
I know now, there’s no accounting
for seeing what nobody knows or wants
that the grass is sweet and green
over there – as well as beneath my feet!

A fence can make sense when
it keeps out pretence.

Facing the tests and confusion of humanity

commitment to yourself and your community.

The fences built to keep neighbours out of my bounds,

also keeps you and me in our worlds safe and sound – and alone.