The day before the first snow
Almost fell,
Went bird-watching
In Bryant Park.
Instead of birds watched
A Walgreens bag,
Flopping in the wind.
Didn’t know fireworks
Were bad for the environment.
Makes sense,
With all their shimmer
For people’s pleasure
Instead of for purpose.
Stood on the sidewalk,
Spotted a rat,
Which wasn’t a rat.
Instead,
A Budweiser can.
It rattled,
Hurrying down the path.
Saw a pigeon choke on gum,
Felt rubber stuck in my own throat.
Someone said
“Compassion hurts.”
Sure, but what if
I was the one
Who spat the gum
Out?
Email Anna-Dmitry Muratova at [email protected].
