Structures That Stand

Steel beams crossed against bruised skies,

the storm had tested every seam.

No shudder in the frame’s hard eyes,

no yielding to the wind’s harsh scream.

I watched the rain pour, lash, and beat,

a violence held outside the glass.

Inside, the sound was sharp and sweet,

a promise found in iron’s clasp.

The bolts held tight, the welds did not

betray the weight the wind would throw.

Built for the world, and for the rot,

for storms to come, for ice and snow.

A quiet thing I made to last,

beyond the tremble, strain, and pain.

A skeleton that held fast

when everything else gave way again.