At least two years ago, the city paved
our street again, at nobody’s request.
The company that won the bid behaved
as if they knew their work, and no one guessed
until they left how poorly they performed –
they failed to crown the street and nothing drained.
No matter whether weather steamed or stormed
we had a puddle lake, and we complained.

The city sought to blame the neighbor’s pump.
We called and wrote and got their vague replies.
They said they’d need a bid; they couldn’t bump
another job. Though anyone with eyes
could see the crown and curb were wrong in height,
they’re only trying now to make it right.