Things came to this home to die
Built on a shaky-foundation near the 405
Earthquake-prone and landslide-endangered
Each summer a construction project
A retaining wall, erecting pylon
A flat roof posed a threat to the collapsing rainstorm-struck ceiling
Each winter came an animal to drink from the pool just to fall and drown

Things came to this home to die
A man of money and a woman of affairs
The homeowners weren’t there to nurture the dire condition
Still they soldiered on

Things came to this home to die
When the dog ran away the neighbor refused to give her up
She said
Things came to that home to die
So the dog was gifted a second life

Things came to this home to die
Still they left the porchlight on, knowing trick or treaters would pass by
That home near the 405 where things came to die
No one was due home for dinner time after the nanny had a stroke in the kitchen

Things came to this home to die
When dad hit mom and mom filed for divorce and the home hit the market
The realtors knew where the wounds were and how to apply a salve of gentleness
But when the Getty fire came to town it showed no bias for the home near the 405
The pool
The shaky foundation
Even the old backyard dog house
Chomp
Chomp
Chomp
At the homes graveyard.
Ashes arouse
A birth in the flame and life to the ghosts