freezing temps are here
so today the landscape guys
rip out the flowers
lining the walk below
from my window I see him bend
and yank entire plants up
chucking them root ball and all
into black plastic garbage cans
shoving them down to fit more
he makes quick work
of a twelve foot stretch
vibrant blooms peeking out
from the can as he hoists it
to his shoulder and hauls it away
it seems such a waste—
a merciless, unnecessary razing
but these guys know their work
must know that in a week's time
the color will be gone
the flowers dry and dead
theirs is the preemptive mercy
of harvesting before the beauty fades
