Street Sweeper Dance

If you park in the city,
Using alternate side,
You are out of your mind –
That cannot be denied.

But still, it’s not every day
One has the chance
To participate in
New York’s Street Sweeper Dance.

For the east side rendition,
(The west has its own)
You park for a time
In the no-parking zone.

That side of the street
Will turn legal real soon,
So you sit in your car
Until half-after noon.

You read or you text
Or you stare into space;
That’s the price that you pay
For a free parking place.

But if, while you’re waiting,
A sweeper comes by,
You must move your car;
You’re compelled to comply.

So the saga begins,
As each car does advance:
Cross the street, double-park,
Do the Street Sweeper Dance.

As the sweeper goes by,
You return to your spot;
And you hope everyone
Gets back in the right slot.

On occasion, someone commits
Parking abuse,
And steals someone’s spot –
Then all hell does break loose.

But today, we all made it
Back into our row,
The urban equivalent
Of do-si-do.