KATHARSIS
The questions, as always: which rocks to ignore, who will
place them, and how to defy the laws of mathematics.
Note: you will create two separate walls to build one.
You will measure length and depth. You will weigh consequence.
Dig a shallow trench, and set your first two foundation stones
at a slight angle, high points on the outside, low ends meeting
in the middle. Count your failures and multiply them by 100.
Let gravity share the burden, then discard every one. Take
care in selecting your stones. Scorpions lurk in the dark,
underneath. Wear heavy gloves. Use leverage. Seek balance.
Avoid the smooth and rounded, as they too readily relinquish
their footing. Select hard-angled, rough pieces. Accept
faults, and work with them. Stack carefully — the two walls
should lean inward, touching, each bearing the other’s
weight. Work alone, but think to the future, with strength in
mind. Be deliberate. One stone, followed by another. Repeat.
“Katharsis” was drafted during the August 2015 Tupelo Press 30/30 Project. Many thanks to Plain Jane who sponsored and provided the title.
O at the Edges 
Hmmm … can we work collectively on a double-wall around Putin and his allies (some of ’em here in our “backyard”)?? Curious about the spelling, I just learned: Katharsis is medical term for “purgation” / “purification” & the notion of walling off certain egos to purge their influence appeals!
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If only we could!
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Building rock walls: get the hard edges to mesh! Between Putin and Trump I’ve used up all my outrage. That was the plan?
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Just when I think my outrage has depleted, something else rejuvenates it! Arghh!
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😃
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A fine analogy
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Thank you, Derrick.
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a damn good piece of work, sir. Plus a good read again. Holds up well. Thanx Robert
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So pleased it resonates for you. Thank you!
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I think this poem might just change Robert Frost’s mind. Something there is that does love this particular wall at least.
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Frost (ha!) is a stacked stone wall’s enemy. I used to enjoy stonework, until my knees insisted I stop.
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I have never done stonework, but I have done a lot of work that made me wish I was stoned. lol 🙂
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I would not have enjoyed doing it for a living, but playing around with it at my leisure, when I wanted (cool weather), was enjoyable, even relaxing. And yes, I’ve had a few of those jobs, too, Richard.
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I have several hobbies that I love to do now but would hate if I did them for a living. And I used to enjoy driving too, but that was before I drove trucks for 6 years.
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