I am no stranger to these people
But we walk as ghosts
Down the long dryness of our lives
Where the sunshine of children
Throws up our shadows
And the calling of birds
Makes an empty mockery of our speech:
“How is he? You don’t say!”
Echoes with the chill wind round the still houses.
I am no stranger to these people
But we have nothing to say,
And the smiles freeze on our faces
In brief salutation
As our minds stay numb,
And we walk on by.
Jan. 2002
Suburbia, and isolation thrown into sharp relief by the joy and playfulness of children with their friends and the calling birds mocking our empty speech.
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Comment by Amanda Buchthal
I bought a tshirt with excerpts from this poem on it, although the poet’s name was not included. I googled the text and found it here. Haunting and heartbreaking poem.
Posted on: July 11th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
2
Comment by Sharron
Man, this poem does something to me. My skin is crawling. So detailed. wow! Chills.
Posted on: August 2nd, 2009 at 11:28 pm
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Comment by jemma
i loved that we done that at a festaval maralin vilage primary school did it that is where i go to
Posted on: September 28th, 2009 at 2:59 pm