South of Heaven
Bozeman, Cooper Park, 30 August 2011
The tsk-tsk-tsk of Rainbirds and red hoses
gave way to hidden turrets spring-loaded
for day break a few rainbows west of a
new millennium park board meeting
Now water slugs launch skyward
like Gatling gun ordnance to fend off
dry soil, burnt grass and other tragedies
like the bleached bones of animals or the
clench-jawed wives of department heads
Junior wanders off to the park to trail
an abandoned dog named Cutty and
to chit-chat with a toothless gentleman
with a cardboard sign that reads
A FEW BUCKS SOUTH OF HEAVEN