City prepares for Santa

We should pick it up
as soon as it
falls

before it piles
up
deep against the walls.

Cold though it may be
who will do it, if not for
you
and me?

Of beauty, white, star-like
we dream and hope
for Christmas
such a wonderful sight.

Quickly we’ll shovel
while little ones build tunnels.
Who is to say which is work and which is play.


Yet, of beauty-less, dirty, and crumpled
a few dispose
upon our public landscape: litter
which, this time of year
might just as well
be pieces of dimpled coal.

Santa’s reindeer
abhor
such a site of blight.

So if you want Santa
Dancer, Donner, and Blixon,
not to mention Rudolf
with his nose so bright
to set down the sleigh
instead of flying by
and going on their way

Be sure the path is clear,
streets and sidewalks are clean
else Santa and his reindeer
may steer clear;
the only gleam in their eyes:
that of a tear.


We should pick it up
as soon as it
falls

before it piles
up
deep against the walls.

Cold though it may be
who will do it, if not for
you
and me?


Find a piece of litter
Photograph it with Instagram
Hashtag your photo with “#Litterati”
Throw away, compost, or recycle the litter.

Who is to say which is work and which is play?

Santa’s reindeer
are looking for
a White and Clean
landing
a city site to revere.

For everyone
picking up
litter
we cheer.

Behold our city
White & Clean
Santa and reindeer
soon to be seen.

-Bernie 

Bernie urges us all to maintain a litter-free environment through caring, contribution, and community, to protect our water, wildlife, and human health.