PoetryView
by Salvatore Salerno, Poet Laureate of Modesto
TIDY UP, MODESTO!
How do you know of a hometown hero?
Someone who calls your attention
Not to themselves, but instead the work at hand.
There is such an unsung person, so I shall Chris-
ten his Ship of Good Deeds with the pennant
Operation 9-2-99, and you can surmise the rest.
At his steady helm, his teams have cleaned trails
Along the scenic, but littered Tuolumne River
Of its tires and tarps and whatever lies there,
By the ton, through the years, and for no pay at all.
If they are not worthy of praise, then no-one is.
How can you become a hometown hero?
That position’s always available, open to all;
You qualify just with your heart and will.
This could be the start of something small
But worthwhile, so why not try it on?
Helping out others might fit you well, so
Maybe put down those shiny trinkets,
Pick up a tool, some gloves or a shovel
To beautify or tidy up where you can.
Search your local patch where there is need,
Perform one deed to make your city better.
Thank you Chris Guptill for all you do for our city and our neighborhoods. Please join in and lend a hand to this project. It is a sad commentary that people leave such items to be cleaned up, and our community is grateful for people like Chris and Darin Jesberg that champion the beauty of our local rivers and creeks Like, follow and help here > @Operation9.2.99 – Chris Murphy
