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Parking Spaces

Richard K. Williams

In the city
Snow was a curse
A total pain in the ass
When falling
It covered the city’s sins
Like a coat of paint
Making the whole place appear
Fresh and new
But in short order
The city’s ugliness would
Pervade
Overwhelm
Turning the snow black and
Misshapen, leaving
Filthy frozen mountains
Lining the streets
Appearing as if they had
Thrust up from the bowels of the earth
Not descended from heaven

Snow would make city dwellers
Insane
Cause them to wage war against
One another,
Over parking spaces
Anyone who spent an hour
Laboring to free their car
Would then stake their claim
With old lawn chairs or trash cans
Announcing this space
This tiny clearing
Between two frozen mounds
As a permanent possession

Neighborhoods became
Battle grounds beset by
Turf wars,
For a claim jumping interloper
To move a marker and park there
Was a serious offence
If caught in the act
Shouting ensued
Fights broke out

I would see this insanity
Repeated over and over
Public property suddenly
Proclaimed private
Lasting as long as
The snow remained
As if an hours sweat
Gave someone the right
Of exclusion

Some say that humans were
Divinely created
I’m not so sure
Unless selfishness is divine
It sometimes seems we’re all just waiting for a reason
To kick the living shit out of each other
Any stupid excuse will do
Including
Parking spaces

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