As I was traveling through the land of sunshine
I saw several thousand houses among the pine
All different shapes and sizes of residences
Many landscaped, some walled, some with fences

Various shades of white, red, yellow and brown
Some old, some remodeled, some falling down
As I looked over the structures square and circular
I was immediately drawn to one in particular

From a far I could tell it was different and special
It was unusual cause the windows were brightly dull
Around it was a wall where vultures nested
No gate or opening did I see so the wall I tested

Stone faced I cracked a joke so very subtle
The wall crumbed and became a pile of rubble
The young house appeared abused and misused
Who could have done this terrible thing I bemused

I tried to peer inside through the cloudy windows
I heard the shrill warning of the owls and crows
Inside I could see a faint glimmer of life’s light
There, strewn were old pictures covered in blight

I touched the house and could feel it breathe
I listened to it’s terrible tale and heard it grieve
The windows cleared with their warm salty rain
I caressed the house and tried to ease its pain

The pretty house was invitation hard to ignore
But there was a faded gold warning sign on the door
I looked around and saw the state of disrepair
Overhead circling the caretaker who didn’t care

The builders seemed to have walked off the job
And left her to be used too soon by a wild mob
I realized that if I stepped across that open nexus
The flame would blaze up and ignite all the mess

Then the fire would race to totally destroy her
I could not ever permit that tragedy to occur
So I sat and listened to all her past mystery
Each little bit of trash inside was a bad history

 For her sake I had to remain on the exterior
While she shored and cleaned up the interior
I wanted to help, but entry was not proper
Besides I was on my way to another shelter

I did what I could and installed an alarm
The eagle’s spirit would keep her from harm
I talked and talked and gave her advice
Then I prayed that wisdom would suffice

No conquest here just an ordained mission
I left her rebuilding and changing condition
This project would take time and be rough
My nagging question, Could I do enough ?

I had to go but promised to keep in touch
She had to stand alone without a crutch
As I traveled away I looked back in awe
The house was brighter than that I first saw

The windows now cleaner and brighter
This house would survive she’s a fighter
The spirit of the eagle overhead soaring
This house was a home worth restoring
The world would soon see and be adoring