Landscape

I flew from New York

to Florida

in the 1950’s

and most of the country

was green.

I flew from New York

to Florida

in 2014

and most of the country

was concrete.

Soft Moment

In the city of chance

the cry of a child

is unheard

in the roar of traffic,

the shrill of sirens,

the grate of angry voices,

until kindness demands a lull

in the constant commotion

and a gentler sound

pauses unhappiness.

Differences

The women of the West

walk the streets

in Europe, America,

proud of their bodies,

walk the streets

with bare thighs,

midriffs, shoulders,

display themselves

for all who look,

exercising freedom,

social equality,

semi-nudity.

The men of the East

disguise temptation

by covering their women

in concealing garments,

the slightest hint

of forbidden flesh

a religious affront,

a punishable offense

that firmly asserts

male superiority.

When East meets West

there is no accord

for they cover their women,

while we let ours go bare.

Since we do not desire

their hidden treasures

and they lust

for our abundance,

there is no way

to share and share alike.

Prerequisite

Purpose was once

condition normal

in paleolithic times

for hunter/gatherers.

Idlers didn’t sit around

the comfortable cave

getting high,

babbling about art,

questioning religion,

or they’d starve.

As evolution

brought prosperity

we invented leisure,

entertainment,

artificial diversions

to consume time

that was no longer needed

for daily work.

Gary Beck