Chimney.
Standing sentry-like in an overgrown field,
Void of surrounding structure.
Where is your house?
Where is your family?
Chimneys.
Dotting the American countryside,
Bespeak of yesteryear.
Where are your houses?
Where are your families?
Chimney.
Offering refuge only to bird, squirrel or snake.
Overgrown in weed and wildflower.
Where is your house?
Where is your family?
Chimney.
Remaining upright, like a masonry statue,
Fabricated of red brick or stone.
Where is your house?
Where is your family?
Chimney.
Outlasting everything and everyone,
Defiled by painted signboard.
Where is your house?
Where is your family?
Chimney.
Posing questions to all who pass.
Mute with the answers.
Where is your house?
Where is your family?
Chimney.
Giving warmth to me and mine today.
Will you, tomorrow, be so queried…
Where is your house?
Where is your family?
1977
Jamie, I have many lone chimneys on my route to and fro NN and TX, most in NM. I'll try to count. Will never look at them the same way again. They all have a story that will never be told.