Jack Ellison Poet Narrative

The Paper Cup Caper

Witnessed something today so unbelievable

Thought my eyes were deceiving me

Lounging in a comfy easy chair at Starbucks

It was busy in the store as usual

Everyone buying a cup of their favourite brew

People filling up with the necessities

Cream, sugar, and stir sticks

One young chap picked up all he needed

But accidentally knocked a white plastic cup on the floor

Then walked away without a thought of picking it up

That in itself was bad enough

Astonished, I then watched perhaps twenty or thirty people

Pass by it, around it, and over it

Without a single one stooping to pick it up

And deposit it in the garbage receptacle

I was totally blown away in utter disbelief

Until finally I could stand it no longer

Got up, walked over, picked it up and disposed of it

As I write this, I am still flabbergasted

What has happened to people

They certainly saw it lying there

A white plastic cup on a dark brown wooden floor

Is it below their dignity to perform this simple act

Is their day so filled with such important things

That they don't have the two seconds it takes 

To stoop down, pick it up, and dispose of it

I am still shaking my head


© Jack Ellison 2014

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Donna Jones February 9, 2014 at 8:13 PM Love this write.....I'd have embarrassed ya..:-) :-) :-) I'd have said right out loud..excuse me...your arms broken? Are you blind? If not pick up your darn trash...you're not better than anyone else here...I make friends everywhere I go...once I stopped right in the highway held up traffic to get out and move a board because everyone was dodging it and no one else would move it..made everyone wait..:-) :-) what's wrong with people jack Jack Ellison February 10, 2014 at 4:42 AM You are my kinda gal, dear Donna! I would have enjoyed it immensely to see you in action!!! YEE HAW! Seems I've pushed a button with this one! LOL Loving hugs dear friend! XOXOX

Ilene Bauer February 9, 2014 at 11:46 AM great write! i see things like this, too, and am blown away! i'm always wishing i had the nerve to say something but in this day and age, you never know how crazily someone would react, so i keep my mouth shut. Jack Ellison February 9, 2014 at 3:47 PM "i'm always wishing i had the nerve to say something" me too but not a good idea! I still can't get over it!!! Loving hugs, Jack XOXOX

Tim Smith February 9, 2014 at 9:00 AM I see it on a daily basis Jack. Everything is beneath me attitude has taken hold on society. What has this world come to. Is it because we baby our youth, they don't ever experience failure and don't know what it takes to pull yourself up by your bootstraps...Sorry I got a little worked up. This subject really hits home with me.....Your friend Tim Jack Ellison February 9, 2014 at 9:14 AM A very astute observation! You speaketh the truth my friend! Cheers!

Nette Onclaud February 9, 2014 at 8:56 AM and we wonder why nature is rebelling?... and how manners have all gone wrong?.. a powerful wake-up call for us and the youth, jack.... amazing read for today!..huggs Jack Ellison February 9, 2014 at 8:59 AM You are oh so kind and it's oh so true, my dear Nette! Thank you dear friend! Loving hugs XOXOXOX

Carol Eastman February 9, 2014 at 8:17 AM You're right... A teenager walked straight thru our penguins yesterday. Again, they went down like bowling pins... And did he help pick them up. NNNOOO! He had barged thru the line to the front, that way! But we have the remedy. It's called Grandpa Troll! He picked him up by the heals and dangled him over the garbage can until everybody got their coffee first... You should try it some time!... He was noisy, and said a few choice things... So Grandpa Troll filled his mouth with napkins. Winning! Jack Ellison February 9, 2014 at 8:31 AM So everybody needs a Grandpa Troll to keep them in line! LOL XOXOXXOX

Steven Clark February 9, 2014 at 7:18 AM I agree with this sentiment. It is the little things that our world needs to fix. Common courtesy seems to be lost. Keep writing Jack.. Steve Jack Ellison February 9, 2014 at 8:13 AM Common courtesy??? What is THAT? Thanks for dropping by Steve! Cheers!

Russell Sivey February 9, 2014 at 6:48 AM Yes, this seems to be the way society is today, if it doesn't affect them they don't mess with it! Not really the best way to go about a daily routine! I agree that someone should have picked it up, but I'm glad there are people like you that will do it (I would do it too as it drives me up the wall to see a mess like that in restaurants and other places!) If I see a messy table I will always tell someone that works there if I don't clean it up myself (only if it's appropriate)! Great Work!! Jack Ellison February 9, 2014 at 8:12 AM Drove me crazy to witness this! Couldn't believe it! Grrr!