Lives-"title"

North Salem has always been a relatively clean town. I’ve always felt safe and, more or less, better off than the inner city kids. Although there is scattered litter throughout the streets, it’s minimal. Outside, the sky is elucidating, the trees in blossom, and the grass is groomed on the lawns. During one train ride into the city my friends and I passed through Harlem. Through the window I saw the trees enveloped with litter and plastic bags, it disgusted me. I never knew how much I respected North Salem’s cleanliness. From then on I prided myself on the dignity North Salem had when it came to hygienic demands.

But, the other day, as I was sitting on the bus, I saw one tree with one plastic bag wavering in the wind. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, I was shocked. My jaw dropped and I gasped at the tree. It waned overhead reaching further. The plastic bag corrupted the tree, and with it North Salem’s reputation. Speechless as I was, I managed to give a little gasp and a taut “eww”. The bus continued down the road, but my eyes fixated on the tree until it was out of sight. For the rest of the day, I felt off. I couldn’t figure out why this one tree, this one stupid tree, effected me so much. It wasn’t my tree; it wasn’t on my property, it wasn’t even on my block.

I had never been keen on observing the differences between towns or cities. Every town is different, no matter how large, or small. But because of this one tree with this one plastic bag in it, I’ve personally taken offense to anyone who litters. It’s not that I’m a clean freak, or even one who is known to care about the environment in the least bit, but as of several weeks ago I can’t stand anyone who deliberately litters. I’ve tried to not care, but it won’t work. Ever since this incident, I’ve been more aware of my community. Happy as I am for the clean state of my yard and school, it’s hardly enough. I do not plan on taking any action towards helping North Salem’s quest for freshness, but I can hope other people will. The profoundness of this one tree and one plastic bag has greatly impacted my thoughts, possibly for ever.