I used to be disdainful of the pod people
Nodding to themselves and sporting headphones
Shutting themselves off from the sounds of the real world
Shutting themselves off from a conversational possibility
Now, I’ve become one myself
Managing playlists
Thousands of songs
Which follow me around
Providing a soundtrack on my rambles
But if I make eye contact with some stranger’s face I pause and remove the earphone
And exchange a pleasantry
A word or two
Sometimes, a real conversation follows
A moment of dialogue
Shared connection for a brief instant
Resulting from that memory
Of resentment of the pod people
In their splendid isolation
Self-absorption throwing up walls
And so I practice social engagement
Even as I revel in my tunes
David Trudel © 2012
