POEM: Gabbage collector

By Richard Chirombo

Dead leaves lie in white,
decontaminated sacks; on top
sits a dirty, grease-smitten father of three;
kissed, hugged, and dehumanized by flies
on his way to the treatment plant.
his pocket:untreated
His ears:hushed by no pay-raise tones
Everyday, he breathes decontaminants,
Protecting the dead leaves within the white sacks
while exposing his back to the poisoned world around