In 1914 Robert Frost published the poem “Mending Wall,” about an age old ritual in the spring where neighbors come together to repair the stone wall separating their properties. Recently we also had to repair our aging fence, which got me thinking about boundaries and why do we need this fence?

Something about a human loves a fence,
That contains dogs inside of it,
And keeps the critters out.
But ours has a gap even two Retrievers can pass abreast.
The gate is another thing in need of repair:
I have seen squirrels enter where the picket is missing,
And the other gate held closed with a leash.
To please the scowling Mom, Dad knew it is beyond repair.
No one has tried harder to keep it up as made,
With bungee cords and grape vines.
But mending time is here.
And on this day, we must make a new fence,
To set it straight again.
We kept the wall between us as we watch,
Each new panel get fitted into place,
And posts remain with great debate,
Some which have swayed in the passing years.
Dad had to think a spell to make the old line hold.
We heard new words with rough meanings as he made the new fence straight.
But just a tilt of the head,
And his work is well perceived.
This is where I question do we need the fence?
Oh, a bigger place to play our outdoor games,
My ball would never go beyond and get blocked!
Dad only said, “Good fences make good Goldens.”
The mischief was in me, and I wondered
If I could put a notion in his head:
“Why do they make good Goldens?”
Isn’t it there so dogs cannot stray?
But we would never leave,
And the thought of it does give offense.
Something about a human loves a fence,
As Dad said again,
“Good fences make good Goldens.”