alone

communities
where have they gone

they seem to have been replaced by
neighbor-less neighborhoods
catalysts for selfishness

it takes a village
where have they gone

they seem have become pockets of inactivity:

eyes diverted to avoid
connecting with the truth of ourselves

ears plugged to prevent
hearing the cries of those in need

mouths closed
except to gossip, complain, or criticize

individuals
where are they now

they seem to be pawns of meaningless persuasion
believing all that fits their biases

hands reaching out
grasping devices that reinforce
isolation within the delusion of connectivity

alone

Paul Cech has been writing poetry since 1970. Several of his poems have been published as Saturday Poems in the Pittsburgh- Post Gazette and the Thomas Merton Center of Pittsburgh has published several of his poems in NewPeople. Read other articles by Paul.