Hosing the Sidewalks

In the mornings, building staff,

Equipped with long green hoses,

Wash sidewalks down, attentive to

What lurks beneath their noses.

 

Most often, it’s what’s left behind

By dogs which poo or piddle,

With owners who, despite the law,

Obey it very little.

 

Though yesterday, a homeless man

Sprawled on the sidewalk, sleeping.

Though he was dry, surrounding him,

Was proof of clean-up keeping.

 

Aside from where he lay, the street

Was wet from recent hosing,

A kindness from the worker,

Or at least what I’m supposing.

 

I’ve sometimes gotten spritzed a bit,

An accidental spraying,

But I was touched to see this dose

Of empathy displaying.