Mid-Century Ranch, Orange County

by Trina Gaynon

          I cannot tell you what a bargain this is. . . .
                                            — “$7,500” Josephine Miles

I cannot lie and tell you what a bargain this is.
The owners paid top dollar, before the Great Housing Crash:
            Six hundred thousand and a bit more,
            in love with mature roses and orange trees.

This listing stands solidly in the middle of its cul–de–sac.
The roof soars over a sun room addition in back.
            The front door, painted an oceanic blue, beckons —                       morning sun turns its leaded glass window into a prism.

From beyond the back patio, you can hear
pilings being driven in the distance:
            a heart beat that comes to abrupt starts and stops,
            a community on its way to a halting recovery.