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
