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Cleanup |
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I decided I would clean up a bit of city land. Each time I passed on my way to work or on a bicycle ride I would think about who should be out there cleaning it up. Then I started thinking no one was ever going to clean it up. Then I decided to clean it up. It's not hard to do. Alot of stooping and bending. Mostly getting over embarrassment. Embarrassment at being the "picking up the trash guy". I go out as early on Sunday mornings as I can manage. I imagine early rising coffee drinkers in nearby apartment buildings saying "hey there's trash guy!" and people in cars driving by: "what community service is that guy pulling?" Mostly I'm over it. A few passers by have passed on their thanks. Right on. One older man, my only regular, sidled up and asked "What do you believe in?" Now we nod. Mostly your standard city trash: Bottles, food wrapping, cardboard. Also, a few unique items a computer mouse, a goose skeleton, 3 unopened packages of bacon. I'm down to the underlayer now. The rubber washers and cigarette ends, the multitude of clear cellophane plastic that makes up the majority. Returning, I see what trash accumulates over a week. What's been left behind by those camped out in the sheltered spot under the overpass. I leave the stuff that looks like it still belongs in someone's life. The bacon was a hard call. It's good I started early. What was easy to walk around in before is now growing up fast. Tall grass and leaves and prickly stuff. Early on I had some fantasies about reseeding with wildflowers. Something that would grow up to surprise the city next spring. How about poppies? Or sunflowers? Recently a bit of a shock. Passing by from work I found all the trees removed. All of them! Just that day! It's quite a change and I'm still mulling it over. It takes away the mystery. It makes it not such a good place to camp out. And I'll miss the shade. So. I'll stick to it for the rest of the summer and fall. It hasn't taken much time. Mostly it's not about calling attention. Mostly it's just the doing. it connects me to the city and it feels right. The best is the regularity of visits and glancing out to see it as I pass on the bus. We'll see what happens. -michael |
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