Recycled

I read this one from memory

Wrote it with my hands cuffed behind me

But before you jump to judge

Just allow me to say one thing

I support recycling

The lady opened her door far as the chain would allow

Said through the four-inch slot that she didn't want to hear it

I should leave her garbage alone

Told her I'd take the whole bag, wouldn't make a mess

Would do my sorting somewhere else

And she said put it back unless I want her to call the police

So I said only someone who is congenitally mean

Would do a thing like that

And she got purple-pissed, said I'd passed my place

Telling her about her genitals

Slammed her door in my face

Worn wheels of my supermarket cart wobbled

Like legs of lazy donkey

Under added weight of the blue hefty

Cans and bottles cackled, then settled

Heat from pavement pierced cardboard reinforcement of my sneaker

I wasn't complaining

Rained that same morning, wasn't fun either

Half a block later, if that far

Midday sun camouflaged light come flashing atop cop car

Pair of angry moustaches leave them door ajar

Pair of ready guns blows in stereo from batons

Tripped, kicked, cuffed

Stinking black boot grinds bread from my gut

Hate-laced sweat falls from his face to my eyes and my surprised mouth

The lady said yes, she wants to press charges

Said an example must be made of menaces like me

Five hours cuffed to precinct bench

I can't reach the itch on my forehead

Flies feast on free raw meat of my asphalt-bruised elbow

Freed for fingerprinting, goodbye bench

Bail set beyond budget, hello stench

This time I'm in for theft, threatening a lady

Trespassing and resisting arrest