Ballad of the Barren Backyard

Ballad of the Barren Backyard

I sit...waiting

Uncared for, forgotten

Windswept

In my solitude hearing echoes of the children

I can see them:

Splashing toddlers in the pool; playing tag

Teenagers lounging, gossiping, giggling

Sunburst smiles warming my gardener's soul


I let the wind take me away on the dust of my palate

Seeking the trickle of water over picturesque boulders

Poetry of landscape; the aroma of desert bloom

I hear my owners' laments --words I only understand as "someday"

I feel empty. I AM empty...


There are so few rainy days in Tucson...

How long does it take to save for one?


So, the Arizona Star is having a backyard contest. Here's the story:

"Hey You! Yeah, you. Is your backyard ugly? We mean, really, really ugly. It's OK to admit it. In fact, it's to your advantage if you admit it, because there's this contest, see, and you could win a yard makeover worth up to $30,000. Here's what you have to do: Submit up to two pictures of your "backyard beast" along with 100 words or fewer describing why your yard needs some major help. It's OK — we're not here to judge. Well, that's not quite true. Readers will weigh in on the entries, as well as a panel of judges that will render a final decision. The winning yard will be featured in a future At Home section. The Beautify Your Backyard Beast Contest is sponsored by Premier Backyard Design Center, Premier Pools & Spas, Flame Connection and Turf Tek LLC. To submit an entry and see contest rules, go online to: go.azstarnet.com/backyard."

After some thought about what to say, I figured no one really wanted to hear another real estate story, this time featuring ROCCO AND I, and how my townhome hasn't sold for over 16 months being on the market, and we have two mortgages, and the price/value has dropped over $70,000 and so we won't EVER get a back yard now...in fact, if it doesn't sell soon, we may be giving away BOTH BACKYARDS to the bank, its getting so ugly. See...isn't a poem so much better? EVERYONE has a hard luck story...but I haven't seen one poem as of my submission the day before deadline. (There were some great rhyming poems submitted! (8/08)