Testo Air Barriers

The place never really had the chance to get off the ground,
as it was the ground to begin.
We just stood there kicking tires:
we knew it wouldn't fly,
nor would it wash.
The time wasn't ripe,
so we stood there kicking tires.
In its dirty state, nothing can be done.
Let's wash our hands, call it a night:
sanctuary.

Some think the place a castle in the air...
a small gust of wind: out of sight, out of mind.

I've looked for a proper allusion to air barriers:
obstructing diffusion.

Every nail, every brick, every gnashed thumb,
another step away from sanctuary