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To clear the fields when northern New England was first European
a stone wall surrounding an acre plot was common
an acre of subsistence was enough.
Stone walls are prevalent today because farms weren’t enlarged—
Civil War soldiers enlightened New Englanders 
who relinquished 8-inch topsoil farms for the midwest’s 8 feet.
From Cleveland to Newcomerstown the grassy knoll separating
the highway’s northbound traffic from south
retains the bodies of deer
as far as they go from impact with cars and trucks.
When fields are mowed to harvest autumn corn
ladybugs attracted to ceiling white 
invade rural homes and floors and walls.
Cheryl and Frank said they aren’t the cute ladybugs 
instead of red with black dots they’re light brown 
they discourage you when squashed
they smell so bad.