Suburban Spring

Suburban Spring (4.15.10) Springtime fills the air, like laughing gas. (Or maybe more like whiskey.) The suburbs are drunk on the nectar of it's dawn. Middle-class houses are starting to dance. (Or maybe they're just wobbling.) They vomit whole families onto their lawn. I watch them the same way dogs watch TV: Confused and intrigued, with a slight urge to pee. The father cuts grass, like a sleepwalker. (Or maybe more like a zombie - Ravenous for cheap beer, instead of brains.) A six pack later, he starts washing his car. (Or watering his driveway.) He's spreading on wax so he's set when it rains. The mother kneels in dirt, tending the garden. (More like digging in a sandbox.) Her spade is rusty. (Figuratively, at least.) A sunset later, she cooks family dinner. (Or maybe orders some pizza.) (If every mouth is fed, she can call it a feast.) I watch them the same way dogs watch TV. The son plays war games, dying for fun. (Or maybe more for practice.) He whines about fruit drinks, as well as the heat. A full pitcher later, tweaking on sugar, (Or maybe just corn starch.) the war escalates, 'til its time to go eat. The daughter makes a picnic, inviting her toys. (Or maybe not.) (Her plastic spread can only spread so thin!) After the tea time, she's off picking flowers. (Or maybe weeds.) (As long as they're pretty, there's a vase that they'll fit in.) They gather, as a family, at the table to say grace. They hold each others' hands and say, "Amen." (And proceed to stuff their face.) The dog sits by the boy - Loyal and true. (Or maybe just hungry.) He drools as he stares from the corners of his eyes. After dinner, he offers to help with the dishes. (Or maybe he demands it.) The boy sneaks him a bite. The dog is not surprised. Bedtime comes soon after. The kids are sent to brush their teeth. (Or maybe just to run the sink.) They put on their jammies, and to bed, they go. After tucking them in, the parents watch TV. (Or maybe they just dream they do, sleeping in its glow.) The dog is changing channels, looking for a better show. Confused and intrigued, he pees on the carpet below.