An Entire Universe

A soft Sea washed around the House
by Emily Dickinson

A soft Sea washed around the House
A Sea of Summer Air
And rose and fell the magic Planks
That sailed without a care --
For Captain was the Butterfly
For Helmsman was the Bee
And an entire universe
For the delighted crew.


My Grandpa H, circa 1899?

My oil painting, a gift for my brother.


This house was once the middle roof of triplets, and is now the only one shipshape to the delight of her crew. The third roof,walls and contents gave up in the '70s after years of disrepair. The first on the lane is waiting for a crew, one of many unoccupied homes in this sparsely peopled, economically depressed area. We have done work that required losing a chimney, joining two small rooms making a big family space with large sliding doors opening onto a deck. Five children were raised here, one my maternal grandfather. My great grandfather was a Maine State Representative from the early 1900s to 1955. His last swearing in was in the parlor, a frail but dedicated man with Ed Muskie, then Governor doing the honors.

Today the house is busy and filled with the voices and vacationers, delighted with absolutely everything.