Trash Pandas

People around here call them Trash Pandas.
Visitors that come in the silence of the night
so, no one can hear or see them.
Searching our garbage for food.
 
See the remains of the search
every Wednesday morning.
They try so hard to clean up
however, it is impossible.
My broom picks up the remains.
 
I was up late one Tuesday night
when I heard the cans
being shuffled, searched through.
Quietly, I looked out the window.
Surprised by what I saw.
Always assumed it was animals
that made the community mess
but it was not.
 
In the dark, there was a shadow of two.
It looked like an adult and a child
trying to be quiet, invisible
as they went through the cans.
I watched however did not say a word.
 
After seeing this
I started making too much food
for one person to have on Tuesdays.
Made sure it was in a bag
on top of the curbside trash can
so, it could be easily fond.
 
I do not care what brought
these two to our nighttime neighbourhood.
That was not my business.
Never approached them either
so, I did not scare them
and they could keep a bit of dignity.
Everyone needs food.
 
I have heard neighbours grumble,
complaining every Wednesday
about the animalistic Trash Pandas
with a snarl on their faces.
 
Makes a person think to themselves
what would happen
if they ever became Trash Pandas themselves
how would they feel?
 
October 20, 2021
Andrew Scott – Just a Maritime Boy 2021