Finishing the Concrete

The way he troweled smooth

the last of the concrete in the walk

with such a deft touch, the passive mix

receiving the least impress

of his firm and delicate hand,

he leaning out over it all

worrying about things we cannot see,

professional, perfectionist,

correcting and editing,

is itself a chastener to those

that hope, with the souls of vandals,

to add a slight finger message

to his concrete canvas

before it settles into stone.