Love Thy Neighbor? Not So Easy...

Why must people throw trash out on country roads instead of taking it home to put in their own garbage? I just don't understand....

Love Thy Neighbor?  Not so easy…

 

Trasher of beauty

Illgotten community

Thoughtlessly fraught

With intelligence naught

Throwing your leavings

On the floor of my lawn

Emptying ashtrays amidst

The shadow of my mail

Leaves me burning with

Desire to lay waste

to your private space

From where do you dwell…

You piece of infernal

Oxygen-sucking swill?

What piece of green lies

Amidst your front drive

And your bed

…and you wonder why should you dread? 

Where do you lay your

Head or call home instead?

What drives you to drop

Soiled old mattresses and

Rotted mops, broken toilets

McDonald’s wraps, beer bottles

And used beer cans along my

Front drive…

What have I done to you,

but love the land and wish it thrive?

I Call the police and clean up

This stretch of road most

Callously abused, for if not

I, then pray…who?

Who would care to pick up

Thy mess?  Not you, nor

Our fair city no less.

Only my neighbors and I

Quietly toil

to pick up the

Leavings of the

wasted and spoiled.

So day in and day out

we get out and about

Before work at dawn

Or later when sunsets

We pick up the wrappers

the glass,  the cigarettes

And we quietly burn

Learning to hate

the faceless, nameless

cowards of the night

who visit my land

when I’m out of sight.

Beware….if I catch you

In the bright light of day,

I will chase you down,

break land speed records across town

To put a name to this

Trash and I’ll call the police

In hopes he’ll issue a citation at least.

Some people fantasize of beach

Visits and windswept seas…

My fantasies revolve around

Remote cameras planted to trees

Snapping pictures of license plates

From whence the trash comes

In the darkest hours of night

Until the early morning dawn.

I just want a clean front lawn….

 

Bright Ocean Star; May, 2014

 

 

Author's Note

This one is not very humorous, but helps me let off some steam. I hope you like it...
http://youtu.be/BsR-IaS2BgU

Reviews

[Michael G. Smith]

I love the honesty in the title and throughout these verses. I have come to an understanding in my relationship with Christ; that I will always love my neighbors but don't have to necessarily like them. I sympathize with you. I do not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes but continually have to pick up empty containers, disgarded cigarette butts, cigarette packs and many other pieces of rubbish from my corner lot along the main road. I used be a person who littered and when. I received a testimony of Christ I woke up to many of my inequalities, this being one of them. Thanks for sharing your passions.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Thank you for stopping in to review this one, Michael. I'm happy you liked it. I always like to read your insightful comments. Thank you again!

[Fran Marie]

It would be nice to catch these litter bugs trashing the land of others and roads...to put an end to it..good write

[Bright Ocean Star]

Yes, but its like catching a tiger by the tail. They are mean and nasty people and even when you get them in front of a judge and they get fined, they come back to your place later and take it out on you like cowards in the night. Its hard not to hate these people...

[Fran Marie]

Yes I see what you mean..It's a no win situation.

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

they could be lost no god in their
heart and they're very lazy and don't care.


I understand your frustrations with this
I deal with this a lot I wish others had more respect.

Thank you for your lovely review and comments
you left on my page.


Take care Benita

[John Anderson]

Very unique poem I found to be rather intriguing. Wonderfully written

[Bright Ocean Star]

Thank you for your kind review, John. It wasn't very pretty, but it made me feel better...:)

[Ranger Kessel]

very nice. same problem here hope the steam is dissipating

[Bright Ocean Star]

Thank you, Ranger. I'm happy you liked this one. It did help me to feel a little bit better to get some frustration out on my paper...Thank you for stopping by for a read and leaving me this kind review...:)

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

hahaha, sounds like trailer trash to me… wow very witty with the slick phrases here. Really enjoyed this epic tongue twister.

After reading it I thought of the son "Neighbors" by Ugly Kid Joe.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Thank you, Cowboy...It was very cathartic to write. I'm happy you enjoyed it! :)

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

Did you catch the video I put on your page?

[Bright Ocean Star]

I did. I looked at it about 30 minutes ago, and responded to it on that page. I'm sorry. I should have messaged you personally. Its been a long night. I absolutely loved it. So utterly appropriate! I don't know that band, though. Thank you for sending me that video. Do you mind if I copy and post it to the poem?

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

Well they were only popular for a short time. Had three hits including that one. I don't mind at all, not my song, LOL

[Bright Ocean Star]

I just read and reviewed one of your latest poems....and I'm still reeling and chuckling. You are good, Cowboy...thanks for the awesome, passionate writes. Perfect to endure right before bed....:)

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

Well thanks, I just write what I feel, and apparently I was feeling… well you can tell what I was feeling :) You are darn good yourself.

[icelandicblue]

What is it with some people, those that leave the detritus of their lives for others to pick up. This works well literally but there is also a metaphorical message in this too. Some have lost all respect for the land and for themselves:

And we quietly burn

Learning to hate
the faceless, nameless
cowards of the night
who visit my land
when I’m out of sight.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Thank you, Ice. You are right and it's tragic....but I don't believe some of these people have any soul left at all. Who would do this? Yet it happens day in and day out. All I know, is that I am getting a slow burn and my options are limited. I'm so happy you stopped by to read and comment on my writes. Thank you! :)

[Sami Khalil]

"My fantasies revolve around
Remote cameras planted to trees
Snapping pictures of license plates
From whence the trash comes
In the darkest hours of night
Until the early morning dawn.
I just want a clean front lawn…."

A good solution to this problem you have proposed here. Catch them on Camera and ticket them too...A wonderful realistic write...:).....................

[Bright Ocean Star]

Thank you for stopping in to read my poems, Sami....you always leave such encouraging and positive feedback. I'm so happy to see you here, my friend...:)

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...Any time...:).....................

[MAC]

you let off steam very well!! an excellent write and I completely agree with Jacob's sterling review.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Thank you, Mark....:) I'm very happy you stopped by. Thank you for taking the time to read my poem and leave a few words. I appreciate it...:)