Lighter together

Building fence alone's a discouraging thing,

Sinking posts and stringing bob wire.

A horseman afoot with no friend to bring

Comes slowly across deserts burnt by wind instead of fire.

Staples bend, hammers drop, no spare hand to retrieve 'em

Marks are made too far and light for two eyes to perceive 'em

Lies are invented and repeated with no ear there to believe 'em

And gates go in too woody and wide for two arms to achieve 'em.

So if your vision is of a new Earth

And you have a mission to pursue

My advice, for what it's worth,

Is there's more lasting work to do.

When the weather sours and breezes rise as they do each November-

Douse your campfire and take some time to spit on ev'ry ember,

Pack up your bedroll, your come-along and jug, if you remember,

And head for town and find you a committee needs a member.

-Elko Smithers

HIGH-MISSION, adj. Low effort.