The neighbor's lawn is a deep wet green

The neighbor's lawn is a deep, wet green

while mine has gone brittle and tan.

There’s a clicking sound from a plastic machine

doing work for a better man.

I walked the edge of the sidewalk at nine

when the oscillating head took a swing.

It crossed the air of the property line

with a cold and sudden sting.

The water hit my arm like a shock,

soaking the skin of a fresh sunburn.

I stood there a minute and stared at the block,

waiting for the metal to turn.