Rural Retirement Suburb
Stephanie Humphries

Many miles from main roads
colonies of retiree patio homes
stand set off in subdivisions.

Driving through one encounters humming HVACs,
howling dogs caged behind fences,
flickering lights from TV screens.
Inside
routines revolve around
meatloaf, macaroni, mashed potatoes, medications.

Distanced from the pack,
far from the main arteries
becoming brittle in body and belief,

this is where they come to wait
for the final synapses in the periphery.sees light and shadows flicker from TV screens on the
walls.Inside—meatloaf, macaroni, mashed potatoes, medications.Distanced from the pack, far
from the main arteries,this is where people come to die,becoming brittle in body and
belief,waiting for the final synapses in the periphery.
sees light and shadows flicker from TV screens on the walls.Inside–meatloaf, macaroni, mashed
potatoes, medications.Distanced from the pack, far from the main arteries,this is where people
come to die,becoming brittle in body and belief,waiting for the final synapses in the
periphery.sees light and shadows flicker from TV screens on the walls.Inside—meatloaf,
macaroni, mashed potatoes, medications.Distanced from the pack, far from the main arteries,this
is where people come to die,becoming brittle in body and belief,waiting for the final synapses in
the periphery.flickering lights from TV screens.
Inside
routines revolve around
meatloaf, macaroni, mashed potatoes, medications.

Distanced from the pack,
far from the main arteries
becoming brittle in body and belief,

this is where they come to wait
for the final synapses in the periphery.