New Town

The side streets
  pock-marked and broken
  in odd places
Exit ramp
  up ahead
Steel sign glistening

In another town
  I've never been before
Shops hugging each other
  tightly
Manicured lawns

A man is manicuring his
  bushes
Cars streaming past
  only inches away
  and he's so intent in his work
  I feel as if I'm intruding
He doesn't notice
Hat askew
Wiping his brow
Looking for the next branch
  to trim

Pools are ready
Play sets newly built
  sitting pretty and new
  in the open backyard
So shiny
Empty
  next to the elementary school
  with the empty playground

An older woman is walking her dog
White, powder puff pup nods his head
She
The only one to wave
Making me feel welcome
This town
Is okay.