From a Distance

While I was walking the campus walk, a black mass loomed in the distance
It had not been there that half hour ago when I had first passed
I was curious about what it could be, this inky still form on the cobble walk

I thought, to my horror, it must be some dead animal
A noble creature brought down by nature and starvation
I grew angry at the passing strangers not bothering to help or be shocked by the atrocity
The strong men who held doors for me, the gentle girls with sweet smiles, grew wicked in my eyes
How could they be so cruel to a poor soul that laid dead?

Upon moving closer, I could tell it was no animal, but a lady's bag
Feeling slightly more at ease, I still scorned the passerbys for not stopping
Perhaps they thought it better to leave it be, that the owner would later return
But still, I feared some unsavory soul would claim it as their prize

Finally I came upon the item that had vexed me
It was nothing but a black plastic bag, blown from a careless hand or wooden barrel
After that, I just passed by without a second thought.