Cans, a modern treasure
Just waiting to be mined
A little bit of digging
Could result in a rich find
Hands, gloved and deft
Pick through refuse, rank and ragged
Which is fraught with dangerous stuff
Like broken glass with edges jagged
“Binning” is what it’s called when
Someone mines dumpsters full of trash
And takes the salvage to scrap dealers
Who then turn it into cash
It’s not for the faint of heart
Or those who, from grunge, recoil
Though a grimy line of work
It seems a useful form of toil
For the metal is recycled which
Conserves our natural resources
This planet’s health can be protected
When recyclers arise and join forces
Every little bit helps
There’s a cumulative effect
And so, to the humble Binner
Ths poem is dedicated, with respect
Kathy Figueroa
