So Much Depends

By James Dufresne

All deference to Mr. Williams,

but there are many other red objects

upon which so much depends

regardless of their juxtaposition to fowl.

Red hot water bottle pressed to an ear, insulated with white washcloth,

red dump truck stained with road sand, hauling demolished white plaster,

red windmill varnished with shellac, with spinning white paddles,

red candle brimming with wax, perched on white holder,

red fire engine freshly washed and waxed, a white Dalmatian atop,

red screwdriver speckled by old paint drops, securing the white mailbox,

red Coca-Cola can beaded with condensation, atop the white tablecloth

are equally dependable for their own purpose.

So much depends on these objects

but like the red wheel barrow depends

on a driver to grasp both handles,

lift its load, keep balance and spot-deliver its contents

So much depends on people using any red tool,

on knowing how to use them and exerting the

willpower necessary to start the task, then

persevere through setback, force majeure, or bad design.

With the red setting sun, so much depends on

walking through our red doors, eating a dinner

of roasted red potatoes and warming by red embers,

while thinking about what color to paint the barn.