I was surprised to hear my trash-cans talking..collected by the patio..
I listened to their story
they were playing 'one-up-manship'
discussing their lives and glory
The saddest-looking one; no top - rusted
dented and dirty
was now retired to holding cat-box litter
discarded wood; broken glass
and nails
and he signed as he said:
"I'm not pretty...."
One - still with a top; a big dent that
made it bulge
he claimed he had a herniated disk
and he started to divulge
his secrets; the many mysteries
..then he spoke to the rest of the
group
He complained about that newest member
colored so bright - a square
'container'
who was now the President
(and on retainer)
like some attornies - yes, the 'new boss'
This new model we'd added
...the 'cleaner trash', in it
we'd toss...
"Tidy trash" - tidy trash is clean paper or styrofoam
or we might desginate it to hold
earthquake items; food & flashlights
..keep it dry and sealed..
it would never be filled with mold!
Another can complained most bitterly
about their desginated task
when the smallest of them all interrupted and said:
"Can I ask..."
"Ask what..." the quartet demanded - irritated in their tone...
"Well I just wanted to tell you a miracle
given to me as I stood so alone..."
"Late, one night, I only had papers and pop-corn packing..
I felt so empty - so unfufilled; somehow I was lacking..."
"Then I heard foot-steps; a baby's cry
my top lifted up by a lady
then I heard her sigh..."
"Inside me she placed a new-born child
..covered the top, and I went wild!"
With glee - a new baby for me
I was a nest
for a child to rest
it didn't seem like the place for a babe
but I remember that Bible that was tossed away
and it talked about a
special son
who was born and placed in a tiny straw bed
after his life
had begun
So I held this one - like I was its womb
never realizing it might become
its tomb
And then I heard foot-steps as they walked away
it was then, I realized this child
had been abandoned...
...so I started to pray.
The next day I was fortunate to remember
that the owner was tidy as tidy could be
it was also Wednesday - the day before trash-day
so I knew I could get this baby free!
Calmed by this, I settled down - and with all my might
I shook a little to make the papers
like a mattress
I made it ever so soft
and the baby rested quietly
that Wednesday night.
On Thursday morning, sure enough - as
the sun came up; another day and new light,
The lady of the house brought the daily trash;
lifted up the top, and saw the child
resting near that bit of ribbon
and discarded
sash.
The child's legs now wiggled - tiny hands started to wave
then a tremendous cry emerged...my, that baby
was brave!
I heard my owner gasp in surprise
she said: "What a wonderful gift I've found; this tiny bundle
...and what beautiful eyes!"
Well can you believe, by the time the day ended for me
I was on television - a regular
celebrity!
So many people helped and rejoiced
and later I heard this child has been
adopted
by choice
Now 2 loving people who had no child - not even one
they adopted this little munchkin
and now they have a son!
Just like that story about the son of God
they got a son from a trash-can
...little old me.. - sitting on the grass
thinking 'now he'll grow to be a man'...
Well wouldn't you know, my owner said I was the best trash-can she'd
ever had
and she rewarded me from that time on
by lining me carefully - those liners she calls
GLAD!
Once my mission was fulfilled - once I'd been deployed
I sat ever so strong - protecting my post
...never again was I annoyed
Well after the smallest can had impressed the entire group
they suddenly found a new-found pride
never again did they complain
about holding a pile of weeds and flowers - nope, they
simply rejoiced in storing
the things that
had died
They never said 'why me' - now they felt needed
they were vital; important
so each day they now greeted
they welcomed the visit
from that lady who showed up early
never again were they
angry or surly
And now I think about trash-cans and their mission
I look at all of them - they appeal to me
I realize they have a simple and special purpose
so I daily bring them 'presents'
and treat them very carefully...
