Nefarious Gardener

In the presence of a heat wave

Off he went

Scissors in the right hand

Toxins in his left

The nearby children run off

The adults watch in disgust

As the gardener raised his hand

And chopped off heads of flowers

Any plant not worthy

Cut to asymmetrical shreds

Drowned in gasoline

Burnt in the unforgiving heat

.

Fellow farmers watched

Some ashamed to associate

Others emulated his actions

The gardens of the neighborhood

An inconsistent showcase

Of disasters after mediocracies

.

There was one farmer

Who never spoke to the others

She was new to the area

Uncut front lawn

Grew local plants

Garden was smaller

Used strange growing methods

Plants were imperfect

Yet perfect to her

.

She tried to own business

Never opened her mouth

Nor waved at passersby's

Averted her gaze to her garden

Watched her fence closely

.

The other farmers spoke with her

But the woman kept quiet

Sensing others motives

Enablers and the self-righteous

Their presence uncomfortable

Only spoke to who she wanted

.

On her cool evening strolls

A bonfire started

From the nefarious farmer's yard

Throwing crops in the flames

Yelling at smaller neighbors

Dictating yards around him

Poisoning his land

Nauseating others around him

.

The woman shouted as a greeting

The nefarious farmer turned his head

Starred down the woman

Weapon in hand, eyes bloodshot red

.

He sighed and then smiled

Assured everything was normal

Evading the obvious

Nerves tensing for small remarks

Eyes narrowing to the woman

Stature larger than most

.

The bonfire grew larger

The woman frightened but sturdy

Pressed her questions

The man irritated and nauseated

The fire then spread

As the fumes reached the man

Gasping for air

Screaming for anyone's aid

.

The woman walked away

Only calling the fire department

And turning away

Knowing he would not change

The past farmers influenced him

The present farmers permitted his actions

And the future a horrible reminder