The Real Work

The real work
is not to build the wall.

No, that is easy,
a natural progression
of fear and hurt.

The real work is to tear it down,
brick by brick

and let the barbarians and lovers in.

About this poem

Unlearning is easier than mere learning. And sometimes we have to unlearn, open ourselves up, to move forward. Scary stuff. Walls are easier.

The picture was taken outside the National Galleries of Art west wing last week. I had a chance for a short “artist’s date” there between two appointments, and snapped this.

Tom