I was working with the kid, as we stood there amid scattered stones gathered from the fields.

We were sorting them by size, and shape so as to surmise, the best use that each one of them might yield.

I meant them all to form a wall, straight and strong, tight and tall, along the drive that was the entrance to our place.

Replacing the rusted wire, of which I had grown quite tired; I hoped to remove it and leave no trace.

I’d just laid my hammer to a cope, when the kid glanced down the slope, o’er the hundred yards of walling yet to go.

“You know, this is stupid,” he then said, and he blithely shook his head, “this work is silly, old-fashioned and slow.”

It’s been two hundred or more years since, men learned to put up wire fence, yet here you have us banging rocks like Neanderthals.

I know I’m only here on hire, but we could have already strung the wire, and moved on,” and then he paused.

And in that frustrated pause, I smiled and said, just because, you don’t like this line of work,

Doesn’t mean it’s outdated, or it’s purpose antiquated, and I’m paying you to work it and not to shirk.

You may think you’re sharing wisdom, and perhaps there really is some, in the words that you spoke to me just now,

But, stop and think and maybe trust, I have cause to think this rust, that we’re replacing  is a detriment some how.

First, it’s more than just need, but I’ll address your want for speed, since that seems to be your main concern.

By the time we finish this run of wall, we’ll have three months in it all, and what will I have in return?

I’ll have a solid sturdy fence that’ll stand for centuries hence, and if done right, no maintenance will it need.

Our work will outlive us, and though you sweat and fret and fuss, that has value! Even that you must concede.

And there’s beauty in these stones, the shapes and forms, the hues and tones, together paint a scene of which I can’t but be proud.

As I daily pass this wall, my eye will take in all, and I’ll think kindly of this time we’ve been allowed,

To spend together working here, to share our thoughts and our fears, and there’s no point in looking at the time,

Of course there’s faster ways, to spend our limited lifespan’s days, but to me the work is timeless and sublime.

Perhaps there will come a day, you’ll learn not to rush the time away, and just take joy in the moment while it lasts.

I assure you, when it’s gone, and you blindly hurry on, you’ll look back one day, fondly on the past.

There’ll be scenes that you relive, and so much joy will they give, that you close your eyes and revel in it all.

I know for you today, the end seems so far away, much like the end you envision for this wall.

You may think you’re smart and slick, but I tell you, it comes quick; quicker than we really like to think.

Through it all you’ve lightly ran, and just when you think you understand, you’re done, and it’s over in a blink.

I know it’s bull you think I’m spoutin’ and I can tell that you are doubtin’ but I tell you, it’s the surest thing I’ve learned.

You may hurry through life’s reading, and if you don’t take time for heeding, it’s too late, you find the page is turned.

So, if you keep walling to the end, I tell you, trust me here, my friend, you’ll look back one day with pride on what you’ve done.

You’ll hook your thumbs in your galluses, forget the sores and callouses, And say “‘twas no work at all!” It was fun.

And that’s the way of life, sure with troubles it is rife, but them’s the things that make it worth the while.

Just always do your best, and don’t worry ‘bout the rest, brace yourself and face it with a smile.