Talkin' Trash

Here I am, after the parade,

Little ‘ol me in life’s grandest charade…

I splash my face with water so cold,

Remnants of glitter – purple green and gold…

Throw on my trackies, it’s time to relax,

Play some Kenny G and listen to his sax...

Sipping on coffee and nursing my head,

Whilst most of you others still home in your bed…

I ponder the sunrise through the morning mist,

And partying the night before – you get the gist...

Seeing Beads, feathers and a tonne of crepe paper,

Scars of another years wild ticker-tape caper!

After months of preparation, parading and floats,

The clean-up crews are now donning their coats…

Rubber gloves and boots are fashion for today,

And we all agree that is the safest way…

Adornments of safety specs, garbage bags too,

It’s the ‘day-after’ spectacle we just have to do!

Buckets, brooms and hoses in hand,

Oh Yes, these cleaners are in high demand!

They don’t whinge or bitch and never a fight,

For the mess that's been left is their very plight...

Eradicating thousands of Purple, Green and Gold,

That are littered and strewn all over the road…

I sit by the window and watch cleaners pass by,

For me day one’s relaxing, but boy! Does time fly!!!

Today no more beads and definitely no glamour,

I say to myself putting a costume on a hanger…

‘Wheeeee’...The kettle just boiled to refresh my cup,

I feel pangs of hunger – its time to sup!

With something to eat I set myself down,

Back at my window to spy on the town…

The day passes gently until around four,

When a car pulls up then a knock at the door…

They start to arrive one by one,

Ready for a coll-ab until we are done…

Ideas are cast around the room,

Many take shape and begin to bloom…

This bunch of die-hards - my friends, my crew,

Will sit here all night until we are through…

With the perfect plans to astound and amaze,

With a float to die for at next years parade!

As shadows of dying sun-filtered light,

Slowly give way to the encroaching night…

Head lights flicker right past my eyes,

A blinding reality - there’s no surprise!

No rest for the weary as there’s work to be done,

To make the next Mardi Gras the most enchanted one!

With spots in my vision and murmurs of gowns,

Maybe next year we should send in the clowns...

Since 1872 we are told,

The story of the Purple, the Green and the Gold…

Newspapers had cited King of Carnival had spoken,

From here-on out New Orleans was awoken…

For it seems only fitting, you have to agree,

150 years on - LGBTQ ARE FREE !!!

By Jove I’ve got it! I squealed with glee,

Court Jesters and the King shall be our ‘Fait-Accompli’!!!

We’ll have to add princesses with tiara’s too,

Maybe someone will find a frog in their shoe!

A frog to kiss and a prince will appear,

Oh my Lordy! It’s all becoming clear!

So much to do and so little time,

Thoughts of drapery on floats are truly sublime!

‘She’s jumpin’ the gun..’ I hear you say,

My reply to you ‘We’ll blow you away’!

‘With glitz and glamour, sparkle and shine,

you’ll all be in awe of our royal design!’

As we set forth now on this next wondrous quest,

we’ll all pull together and give it our best!

It’s a full-time position driven by passion,

for the heady scent and limelight of fashion…

There is no sick days or annual leave,

We all do it for love – can you believe!?!

Only 364 days to go,

To make next years Mardi Gras the most colourful show!