Roof

Years have I worked
to keep a roof over my head
and Lindsay’s head
and the boys’ heads
nine roofs in six towns
and how many were homes

it’s not just something
to keep the rain out
and the heat in
home home home
where the roof keeps
the warmth of the heart

the love of family
joy sorrow anger
privacy gentleness
where I belong
and long to return
castle hovel hearth

Jonathan Atkinson