The Careful Builder

I saw them tearing a building down,
a gang of men, in my hometown.

With a heave and a 'ho' and a "Yes! Yes!" yell,
they swung a beam, and a sidewall fell.

I said to the foreman "Are these men skilled?
Like the ones you'd use if you had to build?"

He laughed and said "Oh no! Indeed!
The most common labor is all I need.

"Because I can destroy in a day or two,
what it takes a builder ten years to do."

I thought to myself, as I went my way,
"Which of these roles am I willing to play?

Am I one who's tearing down,
as I carelessly make my way around?

Or am I one who builds with care.
So my craft, my community,
are just a little better, because I was there?"

Author unknown