the old blacksmith shop

Just after New Year’s, with George Bailey and Mr. Potter still ringing in my ears, I drove down State Street in Geneva with my friend in the passenger seat. “See that old building?” I asked, gesturing to a hunk of stone along the river. “A big developer wants to tear it down. It might not look like much, but it’s historically significant. People are rallying to keep it, despite the naysayers. I hope the preservationists prevail.” And lately, David vs. Goliath seems to be an ever-growing theme. This is my poem.

the old blacksmith shop

doesn’t care

how ugly you think it is.

the old blacksmith shop

was built to build things

that last. has watched

the river forge past for a century

and a half, human

construction and destruction

in every direction, defended

itself from demolition again

and again and still

it stands. you could not

carry away the old limestone

walls yourself if you tried,

but you won’t, since these days

the busywork of mouths

and thumbs has replaced

the labor of legs and backs

and arms of yesteryear. the old

blacksmith shop was here

long before you, and may

outlast you yet.

                        ~ LISA L. MACAIONE

Read more about the blacksmith shop in Geneva and its plight here.