Throwback Thursday: The Ballad of the Garbage Truck

Chel Owens

From June 29, 2017, an epic poem I’m stinkin’ proud of:

Oh, hark! -and hear my tale of old –
‘Tis true in ev’ry way:
The ballad of the garbage truck,
A loud, machine-drawn dray.

The daylight barely paints the East,
The weary man just waked;
A stirring in the quiet air,
A song of metal brakes.

How now, my lads? What sings this sound?
What draws attentive eyes,
A-pressed against the window panes,
Or gathered round outside?

Oh, feel: the porch, the walk, the lane!
Oh, see: the living things!
They shake and dart in worried dance
Of what the daybreak brings.

The song exults effulgently
As it comes round the turn:
Vehicular efficiency
As refuse is o’erturned.

Majestic rolls the garbage truck;
Ungainly -yes, but true.
A dutiful collectioner
Of everyone’s snafu.

©2019 Chelsea Owens

31 thoughts on “Throwback Thursday: The Ballad of the Garbage Truck”

  5. My grandson is two years old and he loves the recycle/garbage truck that serves our neighborhood.He waits in the drive for the truck on Tuesday mornings and wears a shirt proclaiming that “Recycling Day is My Favourite Day”
    The driver has told us that he has a Christmas present planned.
    What joy

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ❤ That’s wonderful! Our garbage man in our last house used to bring little candies and such -my boys LOVED watching for him even before that because they loved garbage trucks.

      I made him a present when he retired.

      Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.