Page 35 - Contrast1982Springv25

SMALL TOWN A.

Small town Americana,
grass roots porch eyes
gaping as I walk by,
Sales clerks taking
five minutes to say
"Have a nice day ...
Did you hear of the birth and death

ofxyz ... ,"

Profamily and
anti-ERA,

there's a bargain on Locust Lane
where garbage cans are solicited

and alleycats fed,
bundled leaves and a well trimmed hedge,
smiles beneath murmured hellos
stranger greets stranger

nodding slow ...

slowly ...
a policeman patrols

blessed rituals the patriotic law,
Firehouse bingo

and a Halloween parade,
Sundays thank God for daily bread,
Are you there?
Hello, hello,
9 o'clock the lights turned low,
Goodnight - sleep tight small town.

Beth Firnhaber

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