Category Archives: Home

All Hail the Bin Emptiers

It’s good they empty bins on holidays,because we missed the service here all week.The water workers blocked the block both ways,when we had extra garbage from the slobswho occupied upstairs, who said the phrase“I’m sorry” glibly while they never sharedfacilities … Continue reading

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Stepping Up

Co-residents moved out of this address,who never did the slightest common chore.They gathered years of junk and stuffed their messinto and near our bins, and left it forthe rest of us to clear out (meaning me,for somehow all my neighbors … Continue reading

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A Fan Fan

A day of heat last week beset this place.The air was cooked to 25 degreesabove the usual. Like most, my spacehas no AC. The new catastrophesof climate change may prompt me to embracean installation that will chill a breeze.But I … Continue reading

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Unjunipered

We had a hedge of juniper to hate,disgracing where the sidewalk meets the yard.A volunteer removed it, to abatehis gratitude for staying here rent-free.He piled in the garden all the weightof aged branches, needles, scales and twigs(we’ll pay someone to … Continue reading

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Friendly Vandalism

We all agree the yard must be redone.At first held hostage by a crazy crone,at last the county moved her. Everyoneremaining knew the hedge would have to go.I thought we pulled the trigger on that gun.But I got home the … Continue reading

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Immigrant

A white rose that I know I didn’t plantemerged outside my kitchen recently.I don’t choose roses – me they don’t enchant,though I regard this garden decently.I’m not a fan of foliage like theirs,and I’d prefer to live without the thorns,but … Continue reading

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Like a Set

In 1944, when it was made,the owner was permitted to constructa cottage in the yard, on level grade,and in the northeast corner it was tuckedagainst two boundaries, beneath the shadeof trees and vines, rough-cornered and good-lucked.It’s like a set for … Continue reading

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Nice Neighbor Noise

I opt to walk and dislike windy storm,so I elect to dwell without a view.I hunker in a garden, shaded, warm,but miss eclipse and pyrotechnics, too.And walkable means density. It’s true:diversity my neighborhood enjoys.So I can spy and eavesdrop on … Continue reading

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North Wall

The gate was open and I took a peek.The house was empty. No one was around.My little cottage, tiny and unique,abuts their yard and decorates their ground.I never see my north side. Is it sound?I gazed at painted boards and … Continue reading

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Saying Goodbye to Cable

I’ve paid for cable TV 30 years,and all my life I’ve used a landline phone.And as for Comcast Internet, it nearsabout as long as cable in my home.It’s primitive, I know, but many peersare likewise habit- and nostalgia-prone.My son stepped … Continue reading

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