Gravel & Memories

gravel
and memories

out
with the old          in with the new

an
old man died a year ago toady

celebration
of his life and work

lays
in a heap of rubble fifteen feet high

a
house that use to be a home

where
he was raised          like his parents
before him

his
children after

a
home kept with love

hands
of care and concern

it
was auctioned off

only
a month after his death

sold
off to strangers

his
heritage

children
with forty thousand dollar sign in their eyes

to
remove any and all proof       he ever
existed

a
lottery for change?/progression?

When
we remove all evidence

Of
history

How
can we see and know

how
far we have come              and where
are we going

does
it not matter he really existed?,

Or
the land was homesteaded by his grandfathers?

Does
no one have pride from where they came?

The
blood, sweet and tears that created that home?

Are
we so ashamed of what has become of us,

When
we age that nothing is preserved?

The
house is no longer a heap

It

has been removed

Hauled
away in dump trucks

In
its place

Gravel

A
lot and a half of cold hard reality

Amazing
what change brings

What
time brings

Is
it really for the best?

1992,
n nelson st Spokane wa