The transition from Montclair to Amwell
Was not so easy as it appeared on the box.
One Day
Found Richard in fact torn with doubts.
In a sick state of fear and indecision.
He was seriously considering
The humiliating acceptance of defeat-
Of returning to society.
Jake was stricken with fever from snake bites. David's footsores-he would
not wear shoes Arguing he'd have deerskins by winter-
Kept him hobbling by day
And gasping in his sleep.
Anne's exhaustion had reached the stage
Of retort and resentment.
Each day they spent more time
Rebuilding than building.
Wood-cutting had to be repeated
The first batches either too green to burn
Or too soft to last.
Much of their farming consisted of weeding
And chasing off marauding animals.
Half the hens were killed by raccoons.
One of the pigs died of disease.
For no reason the goat went dry.
Their well-intentioned schedule
Of equal portions of work, study and recreation
Went the way of all trash - into the fire.