SIMPLIFY

                    Though modest houses and small cottages
                    Once humbly occupied our neighborhood,
                    Now mansions rise to flaunt someone’s success,
                    A trend that I am loath to think is good.

                   And other signs of grandiosity
                   Appear behind garages’ double doors
                   Where he and she each parks an SUV
                   Displaying private school insignias, of course.

                   Now you may say that envy motivates
                   My scorn, and yet I think that is not so;
                   It’s just that “Less is more” better relates
                   My attitude, who would such luxuries forego.

                        As Thoreau taught, we ought to simplify
                        And contemplate that house where we last lie.

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