Before We Put the World in Our Pocket
An elegy for a simpler time
We watched the raindrops on the window and stared into space in line at the bank
Little did we know that boredom was the freedom of an uncluttered mind
We got our evening news from the serious adults behind the anchor desk
Little did we know that news would fracture into dubious clips and blurbs
We hung out at the mall with our friends laughing like hooligans
Little did we know that staying in the moment with friends would be a struggle
We waited until our high school reunion to catch up after graduation
Little did we know we’d get constant updates from everybody we ever met
We stressed out about pop quizzes and what we’d do when we grew up
Little did we know how much tyranny and genocide we could absorb every day and still show up for work
About the Creator
Leslie Writes
Another struggling millennial. Writing is my creative outlet and stress reliever.
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More stories from Leslie Writes and writers in Poets and other communities.
The Portrait of Matteo
Seventeen-year-old Manny got off a public bus at a busy intersection in downtown Philadelphia. When the bus released its brakes and passed his narrow view, he checked whether the art museum across the street was still there. He had been visiting it every day that week but wondered for a second the veracity of its presence. Now, the spring sun betrayed its gray highlights, giving it a warm glow.
By Paul Aaron Domenick6 days ago in Fiction
Comments (3)
and this is why I drift away in the music of the 70's...it was just a slower time when neighbors were friends and communities stuck together
All of this is true, Leslie. I think the Internet in general and social media in particular have failed their democratic and inclusive promise by hijacking our time and attention. While they are being hijacked by nefarious actors for power, money, and control.
Ah. I think anyone especially born before 2000 can really appreciate the sadness here. There's a succinct elegance to your piece Leslie. Although horrid it's one of my favourite by you so far!