Letter to the Editor: Forest Hills

Our neighborhood is changing rapidly

As modest old frame houses are torn down,

Lots leveled, cleared of every bush and tree

To be a crenellated mansion’s ground.

The nouveau riche have found our ponds and lakes,

Our rolling hills and streets of ancient brick

A setting that the best impression makes,

Especially if one’s a former hick.

At least we have no crenelated walls

To keep the hoi poloi from coming through,

And plenty of old trees from which bird calls

Impartially delight both me and you.

And our Lake Sue is open to all sorts

As kind with kind delightfully consorts.

—A sonnet by Alan Nordstrom, Rollins College professor of English