Signs Of Spring Poem by Merle Steinmann

The Western Meadowlark
Gone
Replaced with herbicide, fungicide, insecticide and a gas-powered 'Popper' to keep the birds and geese away

Flowers
Gone
Replaced with pavers, concrete and outdoor barbecue grills

Family Farms
Gone
Replaced with huge, multi-owner conglomerates and global positioning satellites to keep the rows straight

Hometown Baseball Teams
Gone
Replaced with co-ops, bussing and poor, retired farmers driving busses to supplement their retirement income

Small Towns
Gone
Replaced with convenience stores along 4-lane highways and signs saying how many miles to the next Wal-mart and all the goods 'Made in China'

The US?