a man at the gate

we called

it a starter home.

the little

townhouse

on the edge of town,

by the railroad

tracks,

the power lines

and grids.

a school was nearby,

a Chinese

restaurant

and a Wal-Mart.

we were there for thirty

years

until the children

were on their own.

but now

we've downsized.

the steps

getting harder

to climb.

we're in a condo with a view

of the mall,

and the interstate.

we can see and hear

the airplanes

all night

and all day,

but there's a pool,

and an exercise room,

a man

at the gate.