After Watching Episodes of “This Old House”

I.  This Old House

A reminder to clean my rain gutters.

The bathroom subfloor after removal

of damaged carpet waiting approval

to reduce to the trash in the corners.

A few lone staples remain from the task

with padding stuck within small metal prongs.

A time to fix previous wrongs

a deeper fix under a rotting mask.

So lucky that the support beams are fine

a little new wood to replace the rot

then lay a grey faux marble laminate.

A vaulted ceiling as a family shrine

the furnitures placed where aesthetic sought

hopefully a space that will captivate.

II. Home Improvements

The sub floor in the kitchen needs the same,

this carpet where my pets build their nests,

to hardwood floor to greet all my new guests.

Yet, home improvement is a waiting game.

This modern colonial with a porch

unlike the ranch home we owned by the lake

below blossoming cherry trees I rake

as neighbors start the morning sidewalk march.

The roses need to be planted in the yard

along with other seasonal seedlings.

The time to prepare the yard for the warmth.

To remember that maintenance is our guard

these moment of exterior healing

to begin April until July Fourth.

III. A Celebration

Awhile ago when we moved to this land

our labor provided us moments peace

a night or two when tasks would seem to cease

when every moment’s carefully planned.

A celebration brought on each season

a feast before the winter takes its hold

or dance with Spring before the suns too bold

we know our labor is for this reason.

I feel each generation in my work

while nailing in some brackets for support

to build some shelving in two car garage.

This could be lost if I decide to shirk,

to fix each problem prior to report,

to begin my Spring without sabotage.

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Jamie Lee Hamann

My name is Jamie Lee Hamann and I have a passion for writing short fiction and poetry.I started writing for TCE around 2015 and since then I have finished seven collections of poetry and plans for more.I currently live in Lemmon Valley NV with my family.If you desire to find my other work on the internet feel free to stop by my website simplepoetics.weebly.com.The website offers articles on poetry, poems, and links to all my other writing.

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