When Progress Receded

Towns once essential
Grew along
Railroads crossing countryside
The newspaper there
An essential bearer of opinion
Open proper government
Order and guide to
Entertainment, social circles
Mercantile and market tides

Laying out an array of
Births and deaths
Meetings and borders
Columns of news
Eagerly awaited
Marking the weeks
Unabated

When progress exceeded
The horses went first
Replaced by machinery
Autos and hearse

When progress receded
Railroad torn out
Storefronts abandoned
Activity ceased
Streets and mortar
Crumble away
Neither passion nor care
Can spare the dismay

The newspaper has no
Word for good bye
No headlines reserved
For itself but
NOTICE I'm going
Dispelled as a proof.

-Kelly Voelker