The thing is there was this young man
who saw me in Arlington Place picking up litter –
snickers-duo from amongst the daisies and sticky-willy
he said thank you
I really appreciate what you’re doing
In amongst the children’s play things I met Mrs Falafal
sitting on a bench – she’d just finished drinking her lucozade
and showed me the empty bottle then popped it in
to my big litter bag
She said thank you thank you with a wordless wee nod
Along by the petrol station in Woodlands Road
a car honked at me as I picked up an empty Bertolli Mediterranean
olive oil margarine carton Snacktastic Cheese Squares
and caffe Latte hand-roasted bean bag
the car honked again and didn’t say thank you
I smiled at the car stepped calmly slowly along Ashberry Lane
hopscotching over a thousand butt-ends – pausing to sniff
the fuchsia bush with silent red bells dangling on the breeze
I said thank you thank you thank you
I really appreciate who you are
Sukhema Butler
Sukhema Butler aka Larry is a poet and gardener, born in Illinois, living in Scotland since 1981. He teaches taiji & qikung, and leads writing groups in healthcare settings. Sukhema is facilitator trainer in the Work That Reconnects and Lapidus Scotland. Publications include Han Shan Everywhere and Butterfly Bones. Editor for PlaySpace Publications.