Suburban epitaphs methodically scrawled on
Tattooed tongue of Earth Mother.
The language of landscape enslaves
The knuckle-dragging contractor,
Fondling mounds of expensive dirt;
Land pierced by convoluted billboards,
Irreverent epithets . . .
Think different, drive fast,
Drink this, die soon.
Sprawling sprawls cater creep,
Can you hear the mildew crawl up
The basement stairs? -
The friendly vibe of the burbs.
All the neighborhood trees are
Dressed like Ginkgos.
Bird songs by Nokia, patios by IKEA;
Pug dog on yellow leash humps hydrant,
Thinks of Paris as
Plastic handed owner scoops organics
From neighbor's manicured lawn . . .
An hour before the morning commute,
The slow crawl to the city heaving exhaust;
Flocks of garbage, sky breathes ash,-
Lawyer on street corner lights fat cigar
With gold lighter, bag man on sidewalk
Eats peanut shells -
The unfriendly hell of the city.
Hard to live, too high to pay.
Re-zoned buildings are boxes
Of yellow Tyvex.
Tenements gone condo, commercial
Because human sheep need too, to graze.
Enslaved, die soon.