Scaffolding

Scaffolding

Pointing
The chimney needs pointing and
Scaffolding scrambles up the sides of the building
Making way for the chimey pointing
Rusted feet stand in the way
In my way
To my garden
And my peace

Pointing
The chimney is not well,
Joints sore, brickwork groaning
Moaning for mortar, to be filled and shored up

Pointing
The chimney needs pointing and
Scaffolding scrambles up the sides of the building
Pivoting pipes make way for the chimney pointing
Rusted feet stand in the way
In my way
To my garden
And my peace

Pipes pivot,
Pirouetting against the brick walls
Blocking the sky
Blocking my way
To my garden
And my peace

The chimney needs pointing
Repairs are required
And the scaffolding,
Pivoting pipes,
Providing pulmonous paths

Paths for the builders
Up and down, rise and fall,
Bricks and mortar,
Filling the spaces between
To point the way
To properly being
A chimney

Pointed
The chimney is pointing
Repairs all done
And the scaffolding
Remains
Blocking the sky
Blocking the way
Blocking my way
To my garden
And breathing
And freedom

What scaffolding remains
In my way
With the healing
The pointing done

What scaffolding remains
In my way
Blocking breathing and freedom
The healing’s done

Remove the rusted feet
And the pivoting pipes
And breathe

This is the way.

© 2020,2022 Samir Malak

26 Jun 2025, v 2.1
6 Feb 2022 , v. 2.0
6 Sep 2020, v 1.0