Robert M. Simmons  

from Morning in Middleborough... (Poems 1991-2006)

            Morning in Middleborough

As morning nears the village street,

the world is still, the air is sweet.

Rejoice in this serenity

for it will soon be history.

What is that racket from afar?

A burgher starts his stubborn car.

Sounding like a beast in pain,

it moans and whines along the lane.

But this is just the first offense

to tarnish village residence.

A neighbor’s dog begins to bark,

proving his courage in the dark,

and soon a chorus of canines

is heard among the lonesome pines.

Before the barkers have calmed down,

a gravel truck rolls through the town.

With pistons pounding out each stroke

and headers belching heavy smoke,

it bounces down the bumpy road,

beating the earth beneath its load.

Dishes rattle, chandeliers shake,

as though it were a major quake.

If this were all, who would complain

about life on a village lane?

But as the morning sun arises,

the town must suffer more surprises.

The honking of a neighbor’s horn

now mars the peace of early morn.

As wife and kids prepare to leave,

he toots and toots without reprieve.

With coffee mug and stereo,

he is equipped to join the flow

of drivers who have started late

commuting on the interstate.

To pass the time while honking yet,

he smokes another cigarette

until the tardy group appears

and off they go with grinding gears,

with perforated muffler too,

still roaring as they fade from view.

Before the neighbor’s noises cease,

another din disturbs the peace.

A surly schoolboy heightens fears,

transporting bad news for the ears,

the reason for renewed alarm—

a boom box tucked beneath his arm.

The racket that this thing creates

makes enemies in several states.

The village quiet next is cleft

with power mowers right and left,

and in the name of nothing missed

add screaming chain saws to the list.

Mix shrieking sirens to the blend,

but do not think this is the end.

To make the village morn complete,

a beer can rattles down the street.

                       © 2003 by Robert M. Simmons

Old postcard showing North Main Street, Middleborough, Massachusetts in a quieter age

• Next Poem •

• Home • Author's Note • Contents • Contact •

Subjects: poetry about, morning, small town life, Middleboro MA, noise pollution, satire, poetry, poems

Morning in Middleborough