THIS IS NO STOCKADE Poem by John Kinsella

This is no stockade
to keep them out;
this is no stockade
to take the brunt;
this is no stockade
to hold its own;
this is no stockade
to flag its moment.
This is no stockade
to vanguard a mine;
this is no stockade
to placate the boss.
This is no stockade
to count our loss;
this is no stockade
to surround or rally 'round;
this is no stockade
to watch over frontiers;
this is no stockade
to make last stands;
this is no stockade
to retreat into;
this is no stockade
from which to rally forth.
This is no stockade
of ordnance or survey;
this is no stockade
to store your relics.