A-Choo

It's dark. They feel the grating of the key slipping hesitantly into the lock. The community felt the fear escalating, who would be called on today? Who would be torn from the safety of the family, from the only ones they’ve known.

The steps. A door ripped open with the usual tang of aggression. The community freezes in fear as they know how this day will evolve - the disinfectant laden claws will intrude into our space and begin GRABBING, WRENCHING, SNATCHING boxes of assorted shapes and sizes which contained an  array of produce – loo paper, hand towels, kitchen towels - then us the lowly tissue boxes are grabbed – thrown haphazardly upon tables and benches. The unceremonious peeling back of the fine boundary between tissue and air - GERMS - our protection is torn from us and we are ripped from our connections and thrown into this pit of diseases.

I know ‘snotty gobbles’ need wiping, coughs need smothering and sneezes need blessing but, can you not see our value from a wider scope? Wiping clumsy spills or ink from pen nibs or the paint from brushes. Can’t you see our value? So please treat us with respect and place us in the recycle bin. Don’t just drop us on the ground or in the gutter – or flush us down the loo. 

We too have rights. At least if you put us in the recycle we can mingle together and once processed we may become tissues once more.