Miz Rize poem about building a Habitat for Humanity House

WOMEN BUILD A HOUSE

January 23rd was a cold day
in northern Florida
6 am was dark as midnight
We anxiously searched for the build site
Lines of cars, dark moving forms
Where did all these WOMEN come from?
Some as close as the nearby beach
Others from Palm Coast, what a long reach
Greetings and prayers and
the soft glow of daylight.
WE HAVE COME TO BUILD A HOUSE !

A big cement slab, lumber piled high
Gloves and hammers for everyone
The energy is great
This might be fun.
The first ringing hammers
The first buzzing saw
Moving timber, passions soar
Quickly learning the right length and size
In a couple of hours
We realized
IT IS TIME TO RAISE A WALL.!

Shoulder to shoulder
Sisters created a room
Wall by wall and very soon
We caught the vision
Energies grew, we saw our house
manifest itself out of love, will and sore muscles.
We hoot in self praise more walls are raised
“why that is the kitchen and that is the hall”
Tightening screw, there was work for all
very soon there was no doubt…
WE WOMEN WERE BUILDING A HOUSE

More women, more work,
inside walls and paint
floors, windows, bathroom tub and sink
connecting pipes and wires a kitchen has so many
did anyone doubt we could do it?
A few I’ll bet, if any.
Finishing up, all nails must be flush
Perfection for women an absolute must..
Move outside, there is still much to do
plant flower, sod yard, now, that wasn’t hard.
WE GOT HELP FROM STUDENT FRIENDS

A beautiful rooster came to explore
Approved our work
And called in more
Of natures inspectors
and the cardinals came
Singing approval,
calling our names.
There is still more work to do, painting, hang blinds
We complete our tasks just in time
To celebrate…
WE HAD BUILT A HOUSE

So we all are here today
To dedicate this house
To Ebony and Jovien
and say...
We built this house with love and pride
but the happiness and peace
YOU create inside,
WILL MAKE IT A HOME.
CONGRATULATIONS!
WELCOME HOME!

Rize Cole
Habitat volunteer St, Augustine, Florida
May 17, 2008