Who Cares

As worn and faded as the streets he walked He drew little attention, gave same. It is said that he doesn't care. He knows different. He shuns the oratory of clean hands, Picks up their scattered flyers and handouts, Quietly recycles them. A wraith pushing a wobbly-wheeled cart Scorned by polished passersby collects The detritus of discarded defiance. She knows the loneliness of need And the value of the valueless. Her bulging plastic bags shout "Save the planet" to those who hear Only the wobbling wheels of her cart. City alleyways teem with rats Circling the gourmet dumpsters The homeless wait on line For tepid soup and stale bread. Valet parking, crystal chimes, No take out bags here. The mayor announces a ban on plastic bags Bottled water and not caring. A coyote stalks a cat on Beacon Street. 2/8/2020