Long, dark and thin, the man strolls down the sidewalk of Broad Street in downtown Newark. Large, torn sneakers, long pants with a pair of capris over them, a long undershirt with another shirt over it and a trench coat make up his outfit. He crosses the intersection in a beeline for the black metal garbage bin on the opposite side as the traffic light turns green. He moves toward the day’s trash as if it were buried treasure. After reaching the bin, he looks unconcerned that pedestrians may be watching. He peers around for only a few seconds and begins his search. His frail body indicates this might be his only meal of the day.
Taking his hands out of his coat he digs into the piled garbage. The traffic light turns orange, but the slowing cars do not affect his search. He is just breaking through the first layer of waste, taking his time, distinguishing the empty soda bottles, plastic bags, Styrofoam cups, magazines, newspapers, chewed gum, baby diapers and leftover food. He stands straight, holding a plastic container. He carefully removes the lid and stares down at the empty container and places it back in the bin.
He does not give up after this first attempt and continues to search for a bite of nutrition. Again he slumps over and resumes digging through the trash. This time he comes up quickly, displaying the plastic bag he has found. Meticulously, he unties the knot at the top of the bag and searches through the contents. He removes item by worthless item, throwing them back into the garbage. This plastic bag contains nothing worthwhile. He drops the bag back into the bin as the light turns green.
He slouches once again, determined to find something of worth. He seems unaware of the grimacing woman walking by. She looks away from the man at first notice and focuses straight ahead, almost lifting her nose as she briskly passes. He again stands straight up, this time with a small bowl in his hand. Looking carefully into the bowl he takes a finger and gently strokes the inside of the plastic. He then places one digit, then another into his mouth with some satisfaction. He rests the bowl in an accessible position on the edge of the garbage can.
He returns to separating the garbage. Reaching deep down inside the garbage can he grasps a Styrofoam cup. Surprisingly, the cup still contains liquid. He takes a small sip. He then places the cup next to the bowl and descends further into the bin than ever before.
As he returns to an upright position a look of melancholy fills his face. He is empty-handed. This search for a late afternoon meal is a lost cause. Quickly putting the trash back in order, he grabs the cup and drinks the remaining liquid. Then he slams the empty cup and plastic container back into the garbage. With despair in his eyes the man turns away from the metal bin and continues down the sidewalk.
The light turns green, and the cars leave a trail of exhaust behind.
Josiah McDermott-Contarino is a Rutgers-Newark student. Posted January 2006.
