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The goose

Naomi Ambrose
Staff Writer

 

OO: the opposite sides of the
cracked asphalt footpath, the

short green grass sprawled across
the northern side of the park like
a blanket. Within the grass, a thin
brown branch slept silently, barely
noticeable. The few patches of
brown mixed in the sea of green
were sudden reminders that
differences in the colour of the land
should be observed. They seemed
to illustrate that the grass is not
always as green as we hope.

As I took a moment to marvel
at the park’s serene ambiance, a
goose slowly waddled along the
grass, as if to make a point that
geese are also natural dwellers of
urban parks. Park geese that stroll
along these public, outdoor spaces
have always fascinated me. Their
ability to strut along while cyclists
pass on their bikes, alongside
runners who jog fast like cheetahs,
are sights of constant wonder.
These geese show that it is possible
to slow down to view the beauty of
our fast-moving surroundings.

It was a goose to behold, with
a long, black neck that stood tall
and confident. She turned her head

to admire the water in the nearby
lake. Or perhaps the goose was in
awe of the reflection of the cloudy
blue sky in the still water.

Talso joined in to watch the
lake. It was massive and quiet, lined
by dozens of tall, looming green
fern trees.

My goose friend continued her
waddling, looking straight ahead.
I'd hoped that the goose would
have taken a microsecond to turn
her neck to the left, to observe the
whizzing vehicles on the nearby
road. | imagined that the goose
would have marvelled at the three
minivans and the two smaller
vehicles in the lane closest to her.

I envisioned that lady goose
longed for a moment to observe
the drivers with their windows
rolled up, who denied themselves
an opportunity to reinvigorate
themselves by taking a whiff of the
cool air surrounding the lake and
the green trees.

As the goose left my sight, I
looked at the grass beneath my
shoes. A thought then crossed my
mind, to take slow steps like my
goose friend. Ina flash it was gone,
and I thought about the next task
that I had to complete.

 

 

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Single-use

Caroline Ho
Assistant Editor

 

Use me once then throw me out

no time for hesitance nor doubt

too busy too convenient

I guess life’s just too exigent

to think about the bigger scene

to think what single-use things mean
to see where all your waste ends up
each takeout box each plastic cup
each wrapper for prepackaged food
don‘ think of me you'll kill the mood
don't bother feeling any grief

my time with you is far too brief
don't bother with your false regret
I’m free from you I’m not dead yet
don't worry where I go to die—

I never die oh no not I

long after I am thrown away

I linger I do not decay

you'll be long gone Ill be still here
in landfills oceans atmosphere

your planet’s running out of room
your race is running toward its doom
your mindlessness seals your own fate
but can’t you fix it you're too late

but can’t you stop it you don’t care
you've let me pile up everywhere
you've given me this ruined earth
one single chance that’s all it’s worth
so use me once throw me aside

til my truth grows too big to hide
I’m out of sight I’m out of mind

til I destroy your humankind.