Post Modern World

                      I looked down upon the earth
                      from a place unknown to man.
                               I spied a country, a metropolis
                      And saw the works of mankind.
                               Hidden among tall buildings
                      I saw people sitting
                               Faces staring intently
                      upon computer screens.
                               There was fervent tapping
                      upon keyboards
                               with nary a sound in the air
                      absorbed in a world all their own. 
                               Along the city streets
                      I saw people walking, but not seeing.
                               Each held a valued cell phone
                               in their hands.    
                      As they stared intently into them 
                               their thumbs would burst into a
                      flurry of movement.
                               Sometimes they would speak 
                       to one another, if only infrequently.
                                I knew not what to think
                       for they appeared to have
                               mouths with which to speak
                               ears with which to hear
                               hands with which to touch
                               arms with which to hold.
                       But they just walked on
                               away from one another 
                               not hearing
                               not listening
                               not caring.
                       I turned away from what 
                               I had witnessed
                       feeling sad and heavy of heart.
                               And I felt cold 
                               and old.




Written on 6/13/2014
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Thomas Avatar
April 16, 2018 at 9:35 AM
Laura I hope at some point this was a POTD! A brilliant, albeit scary, glimpse into what we've become and continue to turn into!
Thomas Avatar
April 16, 2018 at 1:41 PM
I know what you mean!
Leiser Avatar
April 16, 2018 at 11:02 AM
Thanks for looking at my older poems, FJ! I am concerned for this generation with their preoccupation with their cell phones...unfortunately, I am beginning to do the same thing with mine! Glad you liked this one :)
A  Avatar
June 30, 2015 at 11:17 PM
nice win Laura. SKAT
Wigley Avatar
June 29, 2015 at 8:39 PM
Our new togetherness has made us drift apart. Wonderful, thoughtful piece, Laura. Well done. Viv x
Leiser Avatar
June 30, 2015 at 12:51 AM
Thanks, Viv. Glad you liked it :)
Lawless Avatar
June 29, 2015 at 4:52 PM
HEY@!!!! I think I've been down that street more times than I care to remember.
Leiser Avatar
June 29, 2015 at 4:57 PM
I know, so have I! Congrats on your top win, John!
Beaufort Avatar
February 13, 2015 at 8:08 AM
Aha! a kindred philosopher, humorist and observer of human behavior. I just love it!
Leiser Avatar
June 29, 2015 at 4:58 PM
Didn't see this post until now! Thanks for your comments and glad you enjoyed my poem, Duke :)
Khumalo Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 7:43 PM
Truth hangs in every word, I love it. Has a bit of a bitter sting though where you say : "each held a valued cellphone in their hands as they stared intentily into them" - only because I literally am typing this from my own cell
Leiser Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 8:04 PM
I know, me too! Hang it if we aren't so dependent on these things!!
Yamin Avatar
December 3, 2014 at 8:09 PM
Hi Laura! Your poem is simply awesome. What a keen observation of the post modern hectic society. It has lost the peace and serenity of the yesteryears. I for one would like to be old fashioned. Thanks for visiting my poem and for your very kind comment. Love -Hamida
Leiser Avatar
December 3, 2014 at 8:55 PM
Thank you for your kind response, Hamida! I did enjoy your poem, too. :)
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