Realities Remembered Poem by Barry Van Allen

I can remember when reality seemed like the way to go,
when life was good and understood by most,
when the neighbors were considered more than suspects,
when they were thought of more as friends,
that we were all taught to respect.

I can remember when the kids all got together,
and learned about each other for themselves,
without the interference and the preconceived opinions,
without the ignorance that many parents held.

I can remember when one income was enough to raise a family,
when feuding parents stayed together and pretended to be nice,
when roles were well defined and going to church on Sunday,
was the very definition that everything was alright.

I can recall when black and white meant that you owned a television,
when both channels were magnificent,
when all would gather 'round at night,
and vote on the decision.

Like most youngsters of the 50's,
I really grew up in the 60's,
and the changes overtook me,
like a hurricane unseen.

I was tossed and turned and often burned,
by the fires all around my life,
no sooner was a lesson learned,
then another lesson twisted in me,
as if an unforgiving knife.

Those decades taught me many things,
and absconded with my innocence,
they taught to me great tolerance,
and brought a certain decadence.

Innocent reality is really not what life is made of,
and I am hoping for perspective where reality's concerned,
in a faster, faster, faster world,
the basic lessons must be learned,
the new fresh eyes must see,
beyond the science and technology.