the hood

the neighborhood
is falling
apart.
people are planting
roses
in their yards.
scrubbing
their porches,
painting their
fences. yesterday
you saw
a pie cooling on
a window sill.
petunias are springing
up in
flowers boxes.
classical music
is flowing out
of open
windows.
someone said hello
the other day.
a complete stranger
waved to you
and tipped his hat.
a kid asked if he
could wash your car
for free, and walk
your dog.
you shake your head
and pinch
yourself.
you decide not
to throw your
empty beer can into
the parking lot,
but recycle it
in the blue bin
that your neighbor
set out.
this nightmare
has to stop.