Assignment 23: Real Place Poem (Home)

Welcome to Walnut!
The world’s best preserved suburb.
Tract housing birthed in the 80’s still looks fresh and new
from afar.  The wearing wood and fading brick
brightened by trees that never lose their leaves,
not even in winter.

Our strip malls are the best!
A wide variety of restaurants and grocery stores,
car washes, nail salons and shoe repairs.
Our community is diverse -
Have you tried the nachos at the Taco Factory?
Muy autentico!

Perfect for families!
Pristine soccer and baseball fields.
Our parks are so clean -
no crackheads or homeless or
pedophiles or gangbangers or
other unsavory types.

Assignment 22: Imaginary Place Poem

The Wild East

Tumbleweeds roll by the chicken joint.
Vultures pecking at the bones below.
From a saguaro cactus hangs a pair of shoes.
Their barefoot owner remains unknown.

There is only one street leading in and out
The ladies who stand there aren’t proper.
In turquoise fishnets, they entice you to buy.
Come on now, make them an offer.

The general store carries calico and blunts.
The saloon has a special on malt liquor.
The corner boys glare, with suspicious eyes.
Your exit should be much quicker.