Lovers like us and ghost towns

by JL Martindale

Abandoned civilizations rediscovered by hobby archeologists
relabeled tourist destinations; suddenly every traveler arrives
a self-proclaimed cultural historian hunting our grounds with hope
he will find the one thing of value to steal and sell like evidence.
His badge of worth based on discovering and saving our missing
masterpieces buried under rubble of disasters like neglect.
But just as when the grand civilizations were rediscovered
under the foundations of still too new cities,
no one bothers revitalizing or resurrecting us.
All progress stops as our labyrinth of rooms
and roads are explored, and labeled
for posterity like warnings of how to fail.
Our foundations remain ruins,
broken home unsalvageable,
condemned.
Vacant.