---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It’s this smoke from the burnin garbage…"
description: "\"“It’s this smoke from the burnin garbage, kid. Enough to make a maggot puke, ain’t it? Lookit! The smoke’s risin’ t‘ward the full moon like the ghosts ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f0/philip-jose-farmer-13328_big-words_it-s-this-smoke-from-the-burnin-garbage_2803001.jpg"
---

#  It’s this smoke from the burnin garbage, kid. Enough to…

![“It’s this smoke from the burnin garbage, kid. Enough to make a maggot puke, ain’t it? Lookit! The smoke’s risin’ t‘ward the full moon like the ghosts a men so rotten even their spirits’re carryin the contamination with em. Hey, li’l chick, you din’t know Old Man knew them big words like…” quote by Philip José Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f0/philip-jose-farmer-13328_big-words_it-s-this-smoke-from-the-burnin-garbage_2803001.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f0/philip-jose-farmer-13328_big-words_it-s-this-smoke-from-the-burnin-garbage_2803001.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f0/philip-jose-farmer-13328_big-words_it-s-this-smoke-from-the-burnin-garbage_2803001.jpg)

> ““It’s this smoke from the burnin garbage, kid. Enough to make a maggot puke, ain’t it? Lookit! The smoke’s risin’ t‘ward the full moon like the ghosts a men so rotten even their spirits’re carryin the contamination with em. Hey, li’l chick, you din’t know Old Man knew them big words like contamination, didja? That’s what livin on the city dump does for you. I hear that word all a time from the big shots that come down inspectin the stink here so they kin get away from the stink a City Hall. 1 ain’t no illiterate. I got a TV set. Hor, hor, hor!””

[Philip José Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-jose-farmer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Urban decay and pollution are described vividly, highlighting how environmental neglect corrupts both land and spirit.

**In simple terms:** City waste creates a toxic, haunting atmosphere.

Key Takeaway

Recognize environmental impact on health and morale.

Themes

environment urban decay pollution spiritual decay

Mood

somber critical

Type

social commentary literary

When to use this quote

- city planning
- community activism
- public health campaigns
- artistic representation

Key Concepts

ecology social critique urban studies

Questions to Reflect On

- How does environmental neglect affect community well‑being?
- What actions can reduce urban pollution?

A Different Perspective

Solutions may be complex and costly.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Big Shot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-shot/) [Big words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-words/) [City Dump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/city-dump-3464098/) [City hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/city-hall/) [Full moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/full-moon/) [Inspectin Stink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspectin-stink-3464096/) [Old man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-man/) [Smoke Burnin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smoke-burnin-3464097/) [Stink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stink/) [Stink City](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stink-city-3464095/)

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## More by Philip José Farmer

> [Tomorrow changes the face of reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-jose-farmer/tomorrow-changes-the-face-of-reality/)

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