Where I grew up decades ago
My town felt small and intimate
A couple miles drive and country was found
Small roads lead us here and there
We all felt safe
With unlocked doors and cars
We knew all our neighbors
And felt secure playing outdoors
But time brought change
And an interstate came
Thereafter Disney and Epcot arrived
Industries and housing needed to spread
Orange groves died out
Land more valuable to sell
No more orange blossom’s fragrance
Carried on the night air
Hometown businesses gave way to malls
Big corporations took over the small
Fast food was born
This began more speeding up
Technology accelerated
Rotary led to touch
Cell phones came next down the line
Now computers and iPads save us more time
Children stay inside
If outside must be watched
But they’d rather play computer games
Than a game of catch
Society’s in a hurry
All jostling to be first
Shouting with rage
If you dare drive too slow
Times have changed
I’m not sure for the best
The laid-back days of yesteryear
Are sorely missed–they’re history now
My entry for Poetry Potluck 47: History and Stories
http://jinglepoetry.blogspot.com/2011/08/poetry-potluck-week-47-history-and.html
Bodhirose's Blog 
contemplativemoorings
/ August 8, 2011Pandora’s box has been opened…we may never get those times back again…
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011I’m not so sure we ever will either.
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ogungbesan20
/ August 8, 2011MEMORIES
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011Yeah…
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Chimnese
/ August 8, 2011its sweet to have all those memories of your past/childhood…
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011I do have some good memories–you’re right.
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jgavinallan
/ August 8, 2011Gayle:
Your poem has a dashing to finish line quality to it.
It becomes fearful at the end…as if…where are we headed?
hugs
Jaye
xoxo
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011Yeah–where are we headed?
Hugs,
Gayle xoxo
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charlesmashburn
/ August 8, 2011So sad–to me–but true. I miss those days. I love this poem you’ve penned about our “progress”. Well done!
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011Thank you, Charles. Some progress–I do miss those days…
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tigerbrite
/ August 8, 2011The poem had the same effects on me too. Near me they cut down all the almond trees to build a new road. No more pretty pink blossom in February. I refuse to eat fast food, we are lucky still to have traditional tapas bars.
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011Oh that’s very unfortunate–no more beautiful flowers to look forward to. Little by little nature is being wiped out–it is not a good thing!
I don’t eat fast food either.
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booguloo
/ August 8, 2011So very true even for us older folks,
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011I am an older folk! 🙂
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Daydreamertoo
/ August 8, 2011Yes, for all it’s wonders and good things technolgy has bought about there are just as many downfalls to it, too.
In the last 100 years we’ve become such a dog eat dog world now. A world of have and have nots and the children these days have become de-sensitised, they seem to think showing care and compassion to others is a sign of weakness. Somewhere we in the west have gone very wrong.
Lovely prose.
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011I so agree with you. I think the scariest thing is that people are becoming desensitized, as you said, as to showing care and compassion for one another. I really wonder what is going to happen to our society–it’s worrisome to me.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me–I appreciate it.
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Jess P
/ August 8, 2011What a great story. A good, questioning look at progress and how things change. Well done.
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011It’s amazing to realize the many changes that have occurred just in my lifetime–it’s astounding.
Thanks for coming by and sharing.
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Marlee-I Mystic
/ August 8, 2011Such a wonderfully true picture you paint here Gayle. I think this relates to us all, we have seen the change and the “speeding up” Great concept of history 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011Hi Marlee–it’s good to see you here–it’s been awhile. 🙂
I think it relates to us all too–even those who don’t notice the change. It has had a detrimental affect on us all.
Thanks for sharing this with me.
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liv2write2day
/ August 8, 2011This is sadly reflective of where I grew up, too (in the L.A. area). It’s a different world. Good writing, Gayle.
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011It’s a different world for sure.
Thank you, Victoria.
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Kim Nelson
/ August 8, 2011You have chronicled changes many of us remember is a way that is delightful to read.
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011I’m happy you found this delightful to read, Kim. Thank you.
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Words Asunder
/ August 8, 2011Gone but not forgotten..it’s the same wherever you go..you just got to keep the memories alive though.
Great poem…sad but true 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011No, not forgotten. The memories sometimes bring comparisons though…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
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Lyn
/ August 8, 2011Sad commentary…we speed up, no place important to get to…love those unlocked doors!
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Bodhirose
/ August 8, 2011That’s right–where do we have to get to that’s so important. So few even think to ask that.
And imagine, leaving the car keys in the car!
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J Sirrah
/ August 8, 2011I felt like I was reliving the past while reading.Such a great piece and you indeed told it quite well.Blessed Be
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Bodhirose
/ August 9, 2011Thanks very much, J.
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Sharp Little Pencil
/ August 8, 2011Funny, I just replied to a comment from you about the farmers and how they used to let folks pick the outside rows of their crops, and then I crabbed about “Big Agra” and how they are buying up all the family farms… and you have nailed down the EXACT thing I was talking about.
We grew up with an unlocked door, car open with keys in it. Everyone’s mom was every kid’s mom if you were in their yard, too! Great on two fronts: Nostalgia and bemoaning the change for the worse. Great post. Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/a-new-day-sun-scribs-poetic-bloomings/
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Bodhirose
/ August 9, 2011Thanks for remembering with me, Amy! And you’re so right about the Moms being Moms to every kid–so true. I really liked that…
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Broken Sparkles
/ August 9, 2011I have to say that all these new developments in life are sometimes very useful, but in order to have them we’ve sacrificed the simplicity, the innocence of life and the charm that goes with it. I remember how was life when I was a kid, safe and with much more games outdoors, it was fun and beautiful … Now kids are stuck to computers and TV’s, they will never see the charm of playing on the street like we did once!
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Bodhirose
/ August 9, 2011Somethings have been very useful but I’m seeing that we’re becoming too immersed with things that should be used as tools and not crutches!
We’re allowing ourselves to be overtaken by technology–it’s controlling us rather than we using it prudently. I do feel bad for kids–I’m not so sure they’re growing up as they could be.
Thanks for sharing, Blaga!
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Mama Zen
/ August 9, 2011I miss those days!
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Bodhirose
/ August 9, 2011Yeah… I’m glad that my own two daughters were able to grow up the way I did and play outside without me worrying about them–too much. We lived in a very kid-friendly and supportive community. I’m very thankful they had that experience.
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Lorna's Voice
/ August 9, 2011That brought me back, and then forward. Very effective, evocative writing.
You have a new fan!
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Bodhirose
/ August 9, 2011Yay, a new fan!
Thank you, Lorna for your visit and generous comment.
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Jingle
/ August 9, 2011sweet memories recalled, thanks for sharing.
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Bodhirose
/ August 9, 2011Yes, there were some good memories from those days.
I appreciate your visit, Jingle. 🙂
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Pat Hatt
/ August 9, 2011Couldn’t agree more, I liked the laid back times way better, now it’s just move move move and more more more, ruining all of that.
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Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2011Yeah, I don’t like the added stress people have on them. And for what?
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marousia
/ August 9, 2011Lovely reflective piece
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Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2011Thanks, Marousia.
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mish
/ August 10, 2011This is so true … we live in a world obssessed with instant gratification … we can’t get enough , fast enough ! Though we have to remember that the youngsters regard it as “normal” … we’re from a different era ! They won’t truly understand what they have missed out on …
Thanks for popping in and leaving a comment at my interview … I really appreciate it !
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Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2011You’re so right. The kids of today don’t know differently–now what about their kids? Whew!
It was a great interview and it was nice to get to know you better through it. Victoria is a sweetheart!
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belfastdavid
/ August 10, 2011It does seem to me that we treat the outdoors, nature, real life as if they were computer games subject to our own whims and with no real consequences if it all goes wrong..
The riots in this country at the moment perhaps being a case in point!!!
David
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Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2011That thinking just scares me to death. People seem to be blurring the lines between what’s real and what is a game. It seems like we are losing our ability to have a conscience. This will not end well if we don’t start making some serious changes.
Thank you, David, for sharing your thoughts with me–I appreciate it.
Gayle
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pure2core
/ August 10, 2011You have captured the history which every nation and every person have lost. The change encroached the present now leaving the past a history…Well written. thanks for share….
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Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2011I suppose you’re right–it’s all pervasive isn’t it. And thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I like to know what others think too.
Gayle
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S Basu
/ August 10, 2011you are so right, i dont remember locking door during daytime in tundla or burdwan either. we could happily depend on a pair of pet dogs.
how -times have changed. how drastically.
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Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2011I guess the changes are worldwide, aren’t they? Drastic changes in such a relatively short period of time. I don’t like the speed…
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S Basu
/ August 15, 2011yes. the speed is alarmingly high, i believe in rhythm to population explosion.
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Jamie Dedes
/ August 10, 2011It’s a real mixed bag; but, the poem makes it’s point in the best possible way.
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Bodhirose
/ August 16, 2011So true–thanks, Jamie.
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Inside the Mind of Isadora
/ August 12, 2011Very nice way to describe days gone with touches of nostalgia.
Change and progress always leave their mark. It isn’t always positive.
So sad …
Izzy xoxox
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Bodhirose
/ August 16, 2011No, not always positive, I guess we have to take the bad with the good.
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swanrose
/ August 12, 2011I think everyone over 28 knows this to be true… very nicely done
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Bodhirose
/ August 16, 2011You’re probably right. Thank you Swanrose.
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Olivia
/ August 20, 2011This is amazingly well written bitter truth!
Whatever happened to laid back easy life? Why do we have to run around only to get absolutely no time to enjoy the need or fruits of running around..
Then again, it’s the cyber tech that made us happen!
Hugs xoxox
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Bodhirose
/ August 21, 2011Well thanks, Olivia. Yeah–how did things get so out of control so quickly? And you are right, of course, we couldn’t have met without this great technology. But there’s a balance to be found somewhere, right?
Love,
Gayle xoxo
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