Life in the City

Yesterday’s carnage at the bus bench is gone.

The half-gallon jug of milk on its side,

Bilging its contents at the feet of a dozen excited pigeons –

Removed.

The plastic grocery bag five stumbled steps away, its mouth agape

Reveals the Lucky Charms of a life in disarray and

Shouts at passersby who strive to make sense of the chaos.

Today the gentle mist of the morning rain cleans the sidewalk.

After the purple shirts and the sidewalk Zamboni have passed,

The bench holds only the unsuspecting commuters awaiting the bus.

Last month’s offering at the bench on the corner of Life and Hope was a shopping cart, comforter-draped, that remained in place at least a week

Every day more disheveled, the covers turned down to reveal a suitcase

And another life in disarray.