old town

what do you do with an old town deserted?

board up its eyes so it won't see what it's become?

board up its mouths so the gossip that blurted

is hushed? In its final years total the sum

as a municipality taxable and try to come

to some reasonable expense report of dreams?

Its windows are like bloodshot eyes to some;

its open doors, gaping mouths too tired to scream.

The court house archives the payments and liens

on homes that are now clouds of dust in the past;

the cemeteries names line up like waves on a stream.

The paint on its walls disappear more with each wind,

drying and decaying like an old man's skin.

Reviews

[Demii]

Remarkable meaning and way to put it in such a great perspective, and feeling behind it. Good read I enjoyed reading it :)

[m.s.early]

Thank you for reading demii!

[Mockingbird]

conveys the desolation of a withered old man who is left to meet an undignified end with no one to bear witness. you can almost smell the stench of decay. great job.

[m.s.early]

Great interpretation. Too many of our elders are neglected rather than honored

[Vidya Bacchus]

Your words as reflective and lovely as ever :)

[m.s.early]

(: thank you Vidya :)

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome :P

[m.s.early]

Did you just stick your tongue out at me? lol

[Vidya Bacchus]

What ?????. Would I do that ?(yes I would ) lol

[Anne Lyons]

Every minute detail is beautifully pieced together!

[m.s.early]

(: thank you so much for the kind review, Whitney :)

[Tina Louise UK]

Such a vivid picture you paint...enjoyed my friend :) x

[m.s.early]

(: thank you tia :)

[Jack...]

Nice movement and rhyme my friend. Indeed, what do you do with an old town that is deserted...I guess the same thing you do with an old guy who is deserted...just wave and watch them disappear.

Very cool X

[m.s.early]

How foreboding Jack... I'm getting old enough for those kind of thoughts to make he nervous. I ain't ready to be a ghost town yet :)

[Jack...]

My friend, you are far from being a ghost town...take it from me, I know what being a ghost town looks like.

[Shirlena]

I likes...likes a lot. I especially liked your rhythm which was sort of accidental in some areas (love that the most). The metaphors are fantastic because it sounds more like a person than a town which made this extra engaging. (Did you say in your bio that you lived in area with "crazy white" people? That's funny).

[m.s.early]

Thank you Shirlina. Yes... Crazy white people...

[m.s.early]

Ha!........

[Frieda P]

You painted a vivid depiction of what an old deserted town would 'feel' like....gave it emotions and substance. Great read xavier.

[m.s.early]

Thank you so much Frieda. That's just what I was hoping for.

[Frieda P]

Mission accomplished, my favorite poems are the ones I can feel....

[Ruth]

You gave the "old town" a character, made it real, as they are...why should a few scars and secret whispers be covered up as something ages? Love this x

[m.s.early]

Just as true for living things too, huh Poppy? Thanks for reading :)

[Ruth]

Always is hon and welcome x