offer of the house

poem by Ruth Salles

drawing by teacher Veronica Calandra Martins

.

We offer you
now, with great pleasure,
this house we made
from the floor to the roof.

Built with care,
from the bottom of my heart,
quickly or slowly,
from roof to floor.

We build straight walls,
firmly on the foundations;
and behold the floor and the ceiling
made from the inside.

We install door and window
neat in the frames,
because in this simple house
daylight will shine.

And again we offer,
with affection and with pleasure,
this house we made
from the floor to the roof.

***