POEM-OPINION: Nobody New (The Developer)

Editor’s note: Artist and poet Diane Barron of Worley, who shared her wintry work with Press readers during the holiday season, shifts now to a local planning and zoning controversy.

By DIANE BARRON

Special to The Press

Nobody’s worked harder than the farmer next-door;

no one left to till his ground anymore.

He’s grooved it like a fine tooled leather,

and prayed over it during inclement weather.

His money is in his land.

He’s loved that land...you understand.

He deserves to finish his life

in comfort without guilt or strife.

Who buys large acreage now,

if NOT to love and NOT to plow?

There’s anger in this room

because we smell the edge of doom;

of beauty being chipped away,

and yet we knew it wouldn’t stay.

Out the windows that we lift,

nature’s been a stunning gift.

Now more lights are in our view;

more houses, more people...nothing new.

YOU want to take another bite.

Crowd them in...we’ll see a blight.

How much money need you make?

How many pieces must you take?

We don’t endorse this work you do.

Then or again you’re nobody new.