Stranger by Night by Edward Hirsch

Author:Edward Hirsch [Hirsch, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Published: 2020-02-11T00:00:00+00:00

Waste Management

(Skokie, 1970)

Punch the time clock

and try to keep up

with the two collectors

who trained you

since they need to finish

the route in five hours

and get to their second jobs

on time, move steadily

behind the truck,

don’t stop to rest

in the shade

between the houses,

don’t dawdle or slip

on the gravel

in the alley, watch out

for needles

and broken glass,

it’s hot as a dustbowl

in August, but don’t wipe

the sweat from your face

with your glove

or your torn sleeve,

lift the trash cans

with your whole body,

don’t embarrass yourself

and wave to a girl

from the step

of the garbage truck

racing down Niles Center Road

on the way to the dump

at the end of the day,

don’t roll on the carpet

in rage when you get home

or slam the door to your room

and topple the trophies,

never turn yellow-eyed

with hepatitis

and land in the hospital

just to be seen.

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