The Street Cleaner

I walked to school most mornings when there is no sparing of a bus token.

Every morning with no daily routine broken.

I witness Mister Charlie in his immaculate green uniform, wheeling his three-wheel barrel with the burden of a shovel and push-broom down the main street.

In all weather, the icy cold to the blistering heat.

There is a proud and contented look upon his face.

If he had some unfilled longings there was no trace.

No look of discernment crowns his head, of his fitted place.

No Bothersome thoughts of his menial labor as a disgrace.

After the years he spent fighting in the war, To him, it is an honorable
job to be working for the city.

Even when the crowd is thick and the street is busy.

To many, he was a floating fixture taken for granted.

To others, he was acknowledged and appreciated.

To me he was a stimulus for moral thinking, living in the state of mind of the beauty of simplicity that life affords him.









The memory of my childhood in 1959. Copyright 2016 Looking At The Light At The Bottom of The Lake.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Lawless Avatar
February 23, 2021 at 5:11 AM
I was taught that it was not the job that added importance to my presence but my presence and attitude that added importance to the job. Enjoyed the reflective trip Mary
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace