Obsolete: Yesterdays House of Tomorrow Today
Obsolescence is Built into Life
IBM Selectric,
Original Palm Pilot,
Two and three tone
Cars.
The fins moving
While the vehicle
Stood still in 1957.
All obsolete in
My life
And I am not, I hope,
All that close to
Embalmment yet.
Five cent candy bars,
Twenty-five cent Saturday matinees.
Three strings of bowling
For a dollar.
Cigarettes at twenty five cents
A pack
(Cancer was a real bargain
Back in the 1950's.)
Gasoline wars
With stations giving
'Premiums' and quick service
To get your
Twenty-three cent-a-gallon
Business away from the station
Across the street.
TV couples in twin beds,
Jokes without sex,
Families without two cars,
One working parent,
Public transportation
And school teachers
Who were all old,
Had no first names,
Never went to the bathroom,
Never shopped
Or ate
Or changed their hair styles.
All obsolete in my life.
Belief without question,
Politics as taught,
Behavior as expected.
Children playing outside
Unsupervised
Waiting for the local
Korean Vet who had bought
A small van and become
The neighborhood
Emperor of ice cream.
(Apologies to
Wallace Stevens!)
College without question
And friendships for life.
All obsolete in my life.
Maybe I have become
Too old too quickly.
But don't we all become
Obsolete in our own time?
Published by David A. Reinstein, LCSW - Featured Contributor in Technology
Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, born in Boston and a relatively unscathed survivor of the 60 s. Fan of technology, guitars, creating music and poetry. Mental wellness coach, staff trainer and parent... View profile
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38 Comments
Post a CommentI don't hink "friendship for life" is obsolete yet!But very well done. Melancholy.
Oh, very bittersweet. LOL at your line about cancer, which is not something I say very often!
So well expressed.
I agree. In 1957 I was 11 years old. So I remember my mother sending me to the corner store for a loaf of bread. Thanks for the nastalgia.
Good one.
Indeed we do all become "Obsolete in our own time." Awesome sentiments David.
Right said.
Those giant 25 cent Hershey Bars...Sigh!....You are quite the poet.
Jokes without sex? Never!
Great poem. Vous etes tres talented.