People gather up people, and after

Marvel at the act, the act soon fading

But remembered (itself an act––fading)

Nevertheless, it’s also true that words

Gather up words, and strain to stay gathered

That straining becoming monumental 

Until the base buckles, collapsing all 

Nevertheless, the broken artifacts

The remainders of efforts big and small

Spark curiosity and desire

Prompting a plan to gather up people

Marveling at the plan itself, for a bit

Before pounding in the beams for a base

Then lowering the slab that’s now the stage