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poet707747


 Death of a Small Town

I was looking out my patio window on this cold winter's day;
Looking down into the valley below me where my hometown lies.
I see the dead Hercules plant below, once the employer of many.
I look to my left and see the steam rising from the paper mill,
The place of my employment, as it staggers in this new economy.
Empty houses all over town, the population is half of what it once was.
Main Street revitalization brought nice streetlamps, but still no stores.
The high school's halls are nearly empty now, as people had to move.
This was quaint little town of friendly people, now I hear it's death rattle;
Falling deeper into the economic abyss, I know there is no way of escape.
Two of the three flower shops in town are now bankrupt and closed;
The car dealership now has an empty lot where once people shopped;
The craft shop where my Mom works is rotting away as it's roof collapses;
The mall is now empty except for the Kmart and a discount tobacco store.
I can smell the death of my hometown, and it hurts my soul deeply.
The high school football team had it's first 0 and 10 season since '58,
As only 17 kids donned the historic Cougar colors, the band only a remnant.
A sadness can be felt when walking the streets of our town, a hopelessness;
Seeing another moving van backed up with sad folks leaving their hometown.
The death of our small town is in the pungent, stagnate air.  My condolences.

30Dec09

Wishing  something better for my hometown,
Covington, Va  


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