The Changing Times

The Changing Times

Streets, like people, have a character
of their own. True, it is the people on
the street that give it's unique character.
Some streets in neighbourhoods are
like a house with many rooms, each
a private space where someone may
find solitude, and when the spirit
moves to communion, that someone
can simply exit-and-enter the street,
the living room of the 'house'. There to
tarry with neighbours familiar from
decades of shared exposure and social
congress. They empathize and sympathize,
congratulate, celebrate, and fondly linger.
An extended, familiar-type comfort
a valued element of life. Years pass and
familiarity sees children grown, and
homes at loose ends. Solved by moving
on. And suddenly the aura is disrupted,
unfamiliar faces too busy and disinterested
to hail the presence of a neighbour begin
to dominate the changing times and
the familiar surrenders to alienation.