Friday, August 14, 2009

Concrete patches

Manifest Destiny ended
On the trail of Lewis and Clark
We settled near the shores
Of the Pacific
After the second Big One
We moved to subdivisions and tract homes
With ordered, efficient expectations
Porches became small concrete patches
Big enough for two or three JWs
To argue theology from
Until we shut the door in their faces

Porches lost their draw out West
There were no sweltering nights,
No fireflies to capture the eye
Or gleeful children giving chase
Few neighbors stroll the sidewalks
Rarely did generations gather

Backyards became the Thing
A framework of fences to keep others out
While guaranteeing privacy within
Patios, barbecues, decks, pools, ponds,
Gardens, hot tubs, and outdoor furniture
If we hadn’t done away with outhouses
One could have lived for months back there
At least until the weather turned

The shift complete, we settled in
Comfortable, safe, secluded
Until Television drew us near
To huddle by the hum and glow
Of the box in singular focus

5 comments:

  1. I know it sounds a little odd to say this, but the poem is a wonderful cultural commentary.

    I liked, among other things...

    "Porches became small concrete patches
    Big enough for two or three JWs
    To argue theology from
    Until we shut the door in their faces"

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  2. Jim, I'm so thankful for your giftedness. This is one of my favorites and reflects so well the path of our culture. Thank you!

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  3. "We moved to subdivisions and tract homes
    With ordered, efficient expectations"

    I like that idea of efficient expectations, kind of want to hear more about that

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  4. And from "the box in singular focus" we move to the handheld.

    Like this. A lot.

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  5. oh , you were thinking my thoughts, that never made it to poem. Our little backyard porch served as camp for pioneers in our new subdivision without fences, neighbours gathering in the dark telling tall tales of younger day plundering and portaging.
    We moved to the green box out front for awhile.

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