beneath the rubbage and clutter, 
lies the critters of which
i don’t know the names of 

shocked, i feel grief 
destroying their home
of which they made their beds 
made their own economy 

something my human brain
couldn’t fathom 
i watch, mesmerized 
the vibrant life before my eyes

along these river of thoughts
i am reminded why i do this
as sweat combines with my tears
and my joints begin to ache

removing trash off the sidewalk
making this concrete a home
not just for myself
not just for my neighbors 
but for my bug friends
and things i cannot see 

not destroying
but merely cleaning 
for a better we