ode to the bin bag

03 Sep, 2026

i love you black bin bag,
so neatly packed in little rolls,
hiding away under the sink,
biding your time.

i love you black bin bag,
your plastic sheen shines like a jewel,
and your stretch marks make me so anxious,
for you are so precious to me.

i love you black bin bag,
in you i fit all my pants and socks and towels,
my sewing kit and my folders,
my hopes and dreams and fears.

i love you black bin bag,
you fit into shopping trollies and friends’ cars,
big wheelie bins and small spare rooms,
stuffed into every nook and cranny.

i love you black bin bag,
i know i take you for granted.
i stuff you full and throw you around,
and curse when it’s too much for you.

i love you black bin bag,
even when you are swollen with my unwanted shit,
even when you are pregnant with waste,
even when you poison my nostrils.

i love you black bin bag,
i see you abandoned on street corners, abused and full of holes,
left to soak in your own juices.

i love you black bin bag,
you’re so fragile,
but you will outlive me,
in plastic shreds and deflated sacks.

i love you black bin bag,
and i know you will be among your own,
surrounded for miles and miles by your ilk,
occupying some pakis’ land.

i love you black bin bag,
you will never leave me.