Tough Times Poem by Carolyn Brunelle

Everybody
Was a bit on edge;
Like they were all in the grips
Of the same awful secret.

Shop owners seemed
Overly helpful
Showing their merchandise.
Hoping you’d buy ‘something’,
No doubt, to help them meet,
What we heard, was skyrocketing rent.

Normal banter about gasoline
Prices dissolved into hushed tones as
Some folks grew quiet;
Dropping their eyes as if they
Didn’t want you to see the
Fear in their souls.

Our favorite vacation area
On the coast, subdued
By rough times; and
Suffering the pangs
Of progress. Long standing
Shop owners, bought out in a

Rush of new money
Coming from L.A., will
Soon lose a whole block of
Their history.

Salmon fishing was suspended
This year, the Hotel manager said
Was the reason
The boats weren’t running;

She never looked up
As she gave explanation for
Lack of activity in
The normally busy harbor.