Pigs and Sties - April 4, 2025

Sunday morning, Ruth Hardy Park

I walk the two dogs, he brings

his Reacher-grabber tool

large bag and plastic gloves

it’s a thing he does on Sundays

picks up trash, only Sundays

because of Saturday socials

you can see what was on the menu

as he gathers the wrappers, cups

and plates he adds curses about pigs

and sties, negligent partiers, slobs

and the swine who don’t give a crap

today though, the rich green grass

is a monochromatic carpet

the paths in and around, spotless

as if a giant garbage bird

has picked the park clean

it is pristine for whatever reason

and with nothing to do, he’s unhappy

irritated as he turns back and says

Man, you guys are soooooo slooooow today

can you please pick it up!

the lesson here: bitching often accompanies

          something that needs doing

          and at other times when

           there’s nothing to be done