Flickering Images

It's a sign of age, this
technological complaint
Something gained
something missed
It is what it damn well is
Longing for the time before

When people spoke
Leaned across fences
Smiled on the street
Helped each other
Before the blue flame
ignited every living room

Taking us away from friends
From family
Even from ourselves
Neighborhoods now empty
Fireflies uncaught
The time is gone

When conversation meant
more than table scraps
left to last night's dog
Ravenous again tonight
Panting and lying there
eyes fixed on flickering