22 Maple Lane

22 Maple Lane

written by: Alan Mitnick

@alan.mitnick

 

With their bald heads
and their hot hearts,
the contractors have come.

Some put up pipes,
some tear down walls,
taking many breaks
as the days get warm.

Will the new neighbor
ever mow the lawn?
And leave holiday tips
for our mailman,
Juan?

Local alcoholics
and stern housewives
saw her short, white
ghost at the start of night.

Later I had bourbon
during prayers for the dead,
heard a breath
as men carried
the avocado-green tub out.