This Building

by Jennifer Call

Have you ever glanced at a building—
and paused?
Struck with interest,
struck with curiosity
about its life, its history,
its stories?

Did you get the urge to start asking too many—
questions?

How many years have you stood?
How many people passed through—
Your halls?
How many businesses,
How many lives?
How many laughs?
How many cries?

If only that doorjamb could sit with me for coffee—
Maybe joined by the windowpane.
I would listen to their stories,
maybe write them down—
if they weren’t too scary.

How often was the trim’s paint refreshed?
How often did you face neglect?
Who was your most beloved resident?
Did you have a favorite delivery truck?

How about your roof?
What does rain feel like running down your spouts?
Did your lights always work?
Do you have a ticklish spot?
What hurts the most?
you have any ghost?

Has anyone fallen in love
while inside your walls?

How about you?
Broken window?
Squeaky hinge?
Creaky floor?
Dangling shutter?

That feels too easy—
I want to get personal.

Who poured your foundation?
Who mixed your cement?
Who laid your bricks?
Who installed your pipes?
Do they all still work?

Oh, if I could only sit with you for coffee—
Would you consider writing a book?