It is here we hold our celebrations
Auspicious affairs that draw the people
          Marching bands
          Parades
          Ticker tape
             Homecoming for the high school
             And our hometown sons
                 Glorious heroes
       Daughters too

       If we think she so deserves

There is irony in such pageantry
              Seeing Main Street
                 S t r e t c h e d
              Before our eyes
Bejeweled
       With color and decoration
                               Crews have washed
In days before
Darkened sidewalk                  
                    Collected the bottles
                      Liquor and beer
                               And swept
                    Glass, broken
                    With criminal intent
  Gaze       Down the side street
Down the hill
Into our residences
               Children play on --
               Lawns green, tree-lined 
               Streets
               One Way.