Category Archives: Neighborhood

Pole of Mystery

Posted on May 6, 2026 by sputterpub

The pole is bolted onto fresh concrete,its height about four feet, its color black.A year of paving work upon the streethas left us with this column in our track.Will it remain when all the work’s complete?It’s shaped like a pedestrian … Continue reading →

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Wednesday Sky

Posted on April 16, 2026 by sputterpub

I like the weather where I live so much,I may not ever relocate. This placehas temperate temperature and totes the touchof ocean in the air. The feel of spacearound me when I walk about is sucha soft caress it elevates … Continue reading →

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Walkabout

Posted on March 21, 2026 by sputterpub

Perambulating in the almost-springfor 60 minutes, I went south and west.I took a photograph of every thingthat caught my fancy. And the last was best.The street was bare of traffic, I’ll attest.I crossed it unmolested to a signthat wasn’t accurate … Continue reading →

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Full Frontal Fire Engines

Posted on March 20, 2026 by sputterpub

I heard the siren winding down behindme as I strode due west, and then came more.Ahead of me another whistle whined,as eastward-bound a second engine’s roarjoined up to fill the air. What met was kindof face-to-face, and from each truck … Continue reading →

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On the Street

Posted on March 14, 2026 by sputterpub

He wasn’t pleased I didn’t deign to pauseand let him canvass me to give or sign.His “don’t you care about black women” clauseexasperated me. I can refineobjection – I don’t quarrel with the cause –but I object to wasted words. … Continue reading →

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Sold

Posted on March 6, 2026 by sputterpub

At last the sign went up. It’s been 4 yearsthe owner tried to sell the rooms he boughtto house a law school daughter. It appearsthe price he pitched was high. It never broughtan offer. And the summer atmospheresfor sales were … Continue reading →

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On a School Strike That Settled Just After this Draft

Posted on February 20, 2026 by sputterpub

I hope the strike has ended when next weekI post this little stanza of eight lines.Here’s wishing teachers get most things they seek,and there’s a pause to hearing parent whines.The issues aren’t puzzling or unique;the kids are only missing Valentines.The … Continue reading →

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Better Drainage

Posted on January 20, 2026 by sputterpub

I don’t ignore the changes to my site.I used to take on water through the brickor on an oaken threshold. At the heightof rainy season, ants ran fast and bold(I thought of flooded nest and swampy cold).I didn’t want that … Continue reading →

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Silvergrass

Posted on January 1, 2026 by sputterpub

We saw the tented house across the streetthree days ago, when heading with a friendto lunch. The draping figures in defeatof residential insects. To defendone’s home from infestation’s now completedisruption; human dwellers must contendat distance, while they let a toxin … Continue reading →

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Bad Neighbors

Posted on December 28, 2025 by sputterpub

Five households have to dump our garbage here.At times abuse can dig beneath my skin,especially at move-out time of yearor Yule, which is the tide that we’re now in.Today I lift the lid and see – oh dear,a mass of … Continue reading →

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