Interlude

the winter gale howls

and the snow refuses to fall

we would settle for rain

but even that doesn’t happen

on collection day

the temperature drops

the garbage pails

topple and spill

full and heavy

with whatever it is

that’s hidden inside

again and again

the lids yield trash to the wind

so all the world blows

when the truck hauls it away

we’re glad that it’s gone

don’t care anymore where it goes