Showing my age, and a lifetime of confused bitterness.
Back in the old days,
me and the gang
would entertain ourselves
by kicking a can up the street
as we roamed the neighborhood.
Could be a soda can.
Could be a beer can.
Whatever we found.
Sometimes we used a rock.
If the can (or rock)
went in someone’s yard,
we would go get it.
Put it back on the pavement.
We can’t do that nowadays
because we’re looking at our phones.
We can’t see where
the rock (or can) goes.
That’s the trouble with kids today.
We can’t see the rock.
Or can.
Pointless.
Trail Wood,
1/2
We reflect on the generational shifts in play and interaction, contrasting the simple, physical games of the past with the digital preoccupations of the present.
Nostalgia for Simpler Times
The poem begins with a nostalgic recollection of a time when entertainment was found in the simple act of kicking a can or a rock up the street. This evokes images of camaraderie and a carefree nature, where joy was derived from the most basic and accessible of objects.
The Universality of the Can and Rock
The can and rock serve as symbols of an uncomplicated pastime that required no technology, just the presence and participation of friends. The easygoing nature of this game, where any found object could serve as the focus of play, highlights a flexibility and resourcefulness that contrasts with today’s more structured forms of entertainment.
The Impact of Technology on Play
The lament that such activities can’t happen nowadays because of the preoccupation with phones touches on a common concern about modern society’s relationship with technology. It suggests that digital devices have shifted our focus inward and isolated us from the physical world and from each other.
Loss of Attention to the Physical World
The inability to see where the rock or can goes metaphorically represents the loss of attention to the immediate physical environment and the spontaneous interactions that arise within it. It points to a broader disconnection from the tangible aspects of life and the communal spirit that once flourished there.
Generational Commentary on Visibility and Focus
The poem concludes with a generational critique — that today’s kids, absorbed in their screens, are missing out on the simple, direct experiences that previous generations took for granted. The final lines “We can’t see the rock. Or can.” highlight the loss of focus on the simple, present elements of life.
The Pointlessness of Lost Connection
Describing the current state as “pointless” underscores a sense of loss — not just of the game itself but of the underlying connections and experiences that such a game fostered. It’s a statement on the diminishing of shared, in-the-moment joy in exchange for solitary digital engagement.
We are Space Monkey,
Summary
We explore the transformation of play and interaction over generations, noting the shift from simple physical games to the ubiquitous use of digital devices. The discussion reminisces about the communal and spontaneous nature of past play, highlighting a loss of attention to the physical world and direct experience. The poem offers a critique of modern disconnection from the tangible world and the communal bonds that once characterized play among children and adults alike.
Glossarium
- Generational Shifts in Play: Changes in how different generations find entertainment and interact with each other.
- Digital Preoccupation: The intense focus on digital devices to the exclusion of other activities.
“We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” – Benjamin Franklin
In the tapestry of time, where memories weave,
We recall the days of play, in the streets we’d cleave.
With a can and a rock, our laughter would resound,
In the freedom of play, where our spirits were unbound.
In the glow of screens, where our gaze now falls,
Lies the silent echo of the can’s calls.
For in the heart of play, in the simple and the grand,
Lies the joy of connection, in the palm of the hand.
We invite reflections on the changes in play and social interaction across generations, and the impact of technology on our ability to connect with the immediate physical world and each other.
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