A growing small town
as if oil were discovered here
or a new plough were built
or wild useless horses
could be tamed into burros
and mountains built
with arrowheads and turquoise

No bears here
it’s already crowded
there’s a state park that way
and a lake that way
for fishing can’t be beat
the park’s as pretty
as a quilt

Cities and suburbs
much
even a gulf
with brown mud sand
as mate
the waves bring in excitement
but no oil spills.

Rural Mayor

ain’t no connection
‘tween my rejection
and your election

Lunch on Main Street

She caught the change that skimmed the table,
waiting for the quick-stop food;
her mother’s face fat and innocent:
how then her wide eyes and full lips   
and perfect proportions?
Her face close when she left,
more animate....
This made me, upon leaving, not quite in the mood
to see the wash of feed store puddles.