A Lawn

The Dialogue Poem Contest:

A Conversation Between a Human (~) and the House the Human just Built (+)

* * * * * * * * * *

~ What do you think, my newly-built house, should we create a lawn?

+ There once was beautiful wild grass here, but since you arrived it’s gone.

.

~ We’ll amend the soil and plant some seeds. We’ll grow new grass with our skills.

+ Is there enough water nearby for that?

~ No, we’ll pipe it over here from the hills.

.

+ So you’ll till and plant and bring the water. Y’know weeds will sprout in a flash.

~ We’ll pull those out, one-by-one.

+ And eat them?

~ Of course not. You kidding? They're trash.

.

+ Well, the wildlife will enjoy that grass, growing nice and sweet.

~ Um, no, they’re not invited. It’s not for them to eat.

+ It’s not for food?

~ No, it’s for beauty. Pretty, like a resort.

+ Oh, tall and willowy, like a prairie?

~ No, we’ll cut it each week. Keep it short.

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+ Well, the part you cut, can’t that be eaten? It’s a lot of nutrients to waste.

~ We can’t be bothered with that.

+ But it’s food!

~ Once we cut it, shrug, it’s erased.

.

+ In summary... we had some grass you eliminated.

~ I guess.

+ Now you’ll cultivate some more.

~ Yes.

+ Expending lots of resources.

~ Um.

+ To create food that you’ll ignore.

.

~ Look, it’s not as crazy as it sounds.

+ Huh.

~ We’re appreciating the natural green.

+ Right.

~ But if you’ll listen I want to tell you…

+ Yes?

~ About pumpkins for Halloween.

<mic drop>

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