As They Used To Be

So they move in

Cut down the trees

Roll instant lawns

Treated to keep out

Dandelions and bees,

Install plastic bird feeders

Set up nylon folding chairs

On a chemically treated deck

Park the pick-up and the SUV

Pile plastic plates high with packaged

Meat sandwiches on white bread and margarine

Pickles on the side pierced with plastic toothpicks

Multi colored for color, stacks of bulk mystery wieners

And frozen meat patties from the warehouse wholesale store

And invite us over to discuss why birds don’t visit their feeders,

The best way to pressure city hall into passing new bylaws to ensure

Front fences and hedges are no more than two feet high going to three

Feet in the back and how can we convince the old man to cut down his

Walnut trees and the cedar hedges that are blocking the view and attracting

Ravens, raccoons, rabbits and did you see those damn deer that walked across

The lawn and knocked over the artificial pansies perfectly placed around the bottom

Of the bird feeders and what about your German Shepherd that barks when we try to look

Over your fence and did you see the state of the economy the people are not as real today

As they used to be.