An Explanation for My Behavior in the Village Last Night

It is one of those clever insights of history
That Rome's mighty walls were a sign of weakness, not strength,
A display of engineering prowess
Built to assuage Roman fears of raving hordes
That in previous centuries would have been unthinkable.
A proper wall is made of men (or ships, if you are Athens)
And Rome's legions were the only walls it needed,
Until they weren't.  Then came the weakness, the walls, and the collapse.

It must seem ludicrous and off-putting
To watch someone stacking stone on stone,
Futile and awkward,
Dull and lame.
Just remember:  not everyone has legions like yours.