I Don’t Know How It Started but I Know How It Ends

With yellowing newspapers on the porch.
A mailbox, overflowing.
Weeds in the yard waist-high. 
The gas bill past-past-past due.
With crumbling mortar and a loose brick.
After the water has been shut off.
With a broken latch, a screen door out of true.
After a visit from animal control.
With a few dead crows.
With a mosquito bite.
After a minister arrives to silence instead of dismissal.
When an odd smell disturbs a passerby.