Ilene Bauer Poet Rhyme

A Dirty Patch

The rules are posted on a sign – 
The city’s made its mark – 
Instructing drivers there are times
They’re not allowed to park.

The streets require cleaning
So at certain listed hours
The sweeper truck comes swishing through
And picks up trash and scours.

But certain selfish drivers
See those rules and just ignore ‘em,
Assuming that there’s little chance
A cop’ll come before ‘em.

And so the sweeper sweeps around
The cars that will not budge,
Thus leaving certain city streets
With detritus and sludge.

Of course, those drivers drive away
And leave within their wake
A dirty patch the sweepers missed
For someone’s selfish sake.

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Robert Johnson January 12, 2014 at 9:19 AM With me it's winter plowing plights that cause me such dismay. Why can't those %^^(@!%$#'s just get out of the way. Forgive me for my going's on and ranting like a jerk. But you can see the problems caused. The system doesn't work. Peace. :)

Kathryn Collins December 24, 2013 at 12:22 PM This is great Ilene. If everyone would just cooperate life would be grander.

Vera Duggan December 23, 2013 at 12:29 AM Excellent poem Ilene I can really relate to that, not that our streets get dirty, there is always someone around either sweeping them or washing them, our councils are pretty good as far as that goes, but I lived in UK for 5 years so I do know and you have got it down to a tee in this poem. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Vera. Ilene Bauer December 23, 2013 at 4:35 PM so nice to hear from you, vera! i feel like i know you a little bit through your husband's writing and i'm honored that you've read a poem of mine, too. have a wonderful holiday!

Jon A Cavanaugh December 21, 2013 at 7:36 PM Love it. If only city sweepers were equipped with special arms / To lift them up so they could seep / Then set them upside down / Ilene Bauer December 22, 2013 at 6:15 PM jon - i forgot that they've changed this so that we're now notified when we get a reply to a comment (i never commented before, because i didn't expect anyone to read the replies), but i hope you realize how much i treasure your comments. they do a lot for my ego, too!

Leonard Kleeman December 21, 2013 at 12:44 PM I love your commentaries in rhyme. I get tired of all the free verse and really enjoy the musical charms of a rhyming poem. With meaning. Play it again Ilene. Len Kleeman Ilene Bauer December 22, 2013 at 6:11 PM thank you, leonard! it's always gratifying to have a new reader comment on my poems. read on! thanks.....ilene