When we moved in 8 years ago,

it was so quiet. You only heard

birds and insects buzzing through

every window. It’s different now.

Every noise is grating. A crash,

a bang, a whimper, and a scream.

Parties meet violence in a dance.

Screeching laughter mingles with

the honking of horns and the blasts of

fireworks and guns. It all seemed so nice,

8 years ago. But it’s all going to **** now.

The world I left after 11 years of service

followed me. Slowly invading my new sanctuary

block by peaceful block. Old residents left

a hole in my beautiful land and so

the trash and filth oozed in.