Trash Blowing in the Wind

The world ground to a halt
all eyes, all ears tuned to
the words of the new president, we are
reminded of the depth of the challenges
to be faced, of our capacity to make
a difference, how each and every
educated child, how each gallon of
gas left unconsumed, how each
offer of assistance to a neighbor, how
each new small business offering even
a single job makes a difference.
I watched the TV along with millions
of Americans, Europeans, Asians,
Africans, I listened to the poetry,
I listened to Aretha Franklin and the
benediction, and I saw, as everyone
walked away, the piles of trash
blowing in the wind,
did not anyone
hear, really hear
the call for sacrifice,
the call to put that
small piece of
trash in your own
pocket?