Old Wally World
By Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99423)
Atlanta, Georgia
August 7, 2020 6:59pm CST
I wrote this poem when home owners in East Cobb were fighting tooth and nail to keep Walmart out of the neighborhood.
Old Wally World
In East Cobb county McMansions are hot
Along Johnson's Ferry in manicured lots
Moms drive SUVs and kids are crass
Utterly spoiled and rotten with sass
But who do you think is about to appear
In this walled in place suspicious with fear
McMansions owners are shaking their heads
Not in my neighborhood they protested and pledged
Old Wally World stood fast as if rooted
While neighbors marched shouted and tooted
Wiley old Wally with steam in his eyes
Plodded ahead to claim the prize
And what do you think materialized
So yesterday morning we went out to shop
To this nice upscale building of gray slate rock
SUV families encroached on the lot
Stylishly dressed in brands that are hot
The whole place was jumping like frogs in a pot
The isles were wide the floors were smooth
High class crowds were moving in schools
Shopping carts were moving in droves
Chunking in groceries chunking in clothes
Who knows how far these shoppers will go
I smiled to myself as I gunned down the isle
With McMansion husbands and McMansion wives
I chuckled and grinned as my thoughts came alive
Walmart is crafty and sly as a fox
Old Wally world is the cream of the crop
16 people like this
15 responses
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
8 Aug 20
This was a great poem!
I remember when the big walmart came to this area. People were happy because it meant that they didn't have to drive clear across town to get clothes & other things they needed. They could also get groceries while they were at it instead of making two trips.
3 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
8 Aug 20
@RubyHawk I went to walmart with a friend last week, first time I had been in one in several months. It was odd how they had the entrance laid out so that you had to go between cones. I guess it's to keep us distant.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99423)
• Atlanta, Georgia
9 Aug 20
@ScribbledAdNauseum We have two Walmart’s near us and both have someone at the door to be sure customers are wearing a mask and the floors are marked off to show you how far to stay apart. And signs tell you to go down one isle and out the other. It’s weird till you get used to it. I feel much safer.
@Deepizzaguy (94874)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
8 Aug 20
Thank you for sharing this nice poem.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (94874)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
8 Aug 20
@RubyHawk You did a wonderful job writing your poem.
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
8 Aug 20
I wonder why there are detractors of Walmart. They even post in social media pictures of eccentric customers.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
8 Aug 20
@RubyHawk it really makes me wonder what is the reason for their dislike. I always tell neighbors to patronize stores by the village gate because they are for our convenience.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99423)
• Atlanta, Georgia
8 Aug 20
That's true and it's terrible. People make fun and then go there to shop themselves. We watched these residents hold meetings and do everything possible to keep Walmart out and now they shop there themselves. We went to the opening with these folks and it was just as I described it. They were racing around filling their carts full.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99423)
• Atlanta, Georgia
8 Aug 20
@Alexandoy Some people think Walmart is a low grade store because they have low prices.They are afraid it will reflect badly on the neighborhood and bring their home prices down.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (35419)
• United States
8 Aug 20
A beautiful poem, and very exact.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118556)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Aug 20
That's a very nice poem Ruby! Old Wally World has done established itself in the neighborhood! haha
