"Scaffolding"

Scaffolding

by Seamus Heaney

Masons, when they start upon a building,

Are careful to test out the scaffolding;


Make sure that planks won’t slip at busy points,

Secure all ladders, tighten bolted joints.


And yet all this comes down when the job’s done

Showing off walls of sure and solid stone.


So if, my dear, there sometimes seem to be

Old bridges breaking between you and me


Never fear. We may let the scaffolds fall

Confident that we have built our wall.