Building the Greenhouse

“and then perhaps a deeper memory, a deeper recognition will occur.” — Adam Zagajewski

The neighbor swears on the existence

of a foundation, just there,

where the old shed stood.

And believe me, I want to believe

the neighbor and am near-

famished for a place

for something green

to grow in this club-footed,

leap-year February,

but the ground

thaws on its own time,

and the dull flat-head

I’m digging with

brings me down just enough

to scrape against the conclusion

that if a corner block

was once poured it now

abides deep, very deep.