Building a Roman Road in the North Lands of Briton

Select your route with adequate care,
be aware of Celt and Pictish trails,
their fondness for attacks through bracken,
plan it straight as the eagle flies,
remove plants, trees, grass,
do not dwell on thoughts of home
or your wife's swelling belly.
dig trenches deep enough
to hide a sleeping hound
and wide enough to march
men close, yet ten abreast,
forget the years you will not witness
pass across your daughter's face,
line the dug out ground with
smallish stones, up to the height
of your baby's knee, cover to the rim
with grit and gravel, pressed and stamped
to firmness, to withstand the bitter frosts,
the cold which penetrates your veins,
curve the surface of the road
sufficiently, so rain can drain into
the ditches on each side, move on,
until you reach the fringe of Pictland,
slake your thirst with red grape wine
infused with Rosemary and Thyme,
build a wall.