the free bike

a bike, with a sign taped
to the seat
sits out front on
the sidewalk for days.
it reads free.
but no one takes it
and rides off.
it looks like a nice
bike.
air in the tires.
no rust that I can see.
it looks like a perfectly
fine bike that
someone just doesn't
want anymore.
finally after a week,
I see the trash truck
pull up
and throw it into
the back, where the big
metal door slams down
to crush it
together
with bags of trash and
assorted debris.
the men in their orange
jumpsuits say nothing has
they hop on board
to drive away.
it's sad in a way, but
I won't lose any sleep
over it.