Letters

The sweat on his palms clearly signaled the fear

of an annus horribilis coming quite near.

Oh my gosh, is it true? Will this be the year?

… that Amazon comes to Westhampton?

The waves are gentle and ebbing quite slowly.

The public sails on, unaware that it’s shoaly.

But something adrift is very unholy.

… Amazon and the county have a deal …

Looks like a truck that will bring us our iPhones,

our headsets, our watches, our books and our e-drones.

But those trucks are emitting some ominous tri-tones:

… is that music, or the hum of an aircraft?

And, all of a sudden, a citizen’s query:

Amazon at airports? Should we be wary?

Conscious decision — or just arbitrary?

(… It’s apparent to any Tom, Dick or Harry!)

Amazon acts with precise cogitation.

So why would they choose an airport location?

Unless their designs called for future aviation?

… But our county politicians are mute …

The noise it would bring would cause great distress.

In two years’ time — may I hazard a guess? —

we’d all wish our gifts came by pony express!

(… But, hey, East Hampton would have quicker service.)

The apologists say: “They’d never allow it.”

If you ask them directly, they’ll just disavow it;

what do you expect from those who kowtow it?

(… the public deserves a straight answer.)

Will our “watchdog” committees deal with this flap?

They were chosen to scrutinize, not to back-slap.

Are they dogs of the watch or dogs of the lap?

… The citizens will know when they see it.

Meese-ka, moose-ka, Mouse-keteer,

It’s time to erase our increasing fear.

Could a county pol grace our listening ear?

And answer the question we all long to hear:

“If Amazon Aviation were to appear,

… who would stop this intrusive premiere?”

Mark J. Schulte

Quogue