Altschmerz

Walking the streets of commuters drive, 

Lost in thoughts deep inside, 

How many times have I arrived, 

At this crossroads passing by,

The signal above blinks abruptly, 

No cars or buses in sight to see, 

Parks and centers that once were free, 

Stand empty, waiting to feel, 

Noise of the crowd, 

greetings of the rabble, 

All lost in silence, 

In a swift gamble,  

To be or not to be? 

Is the minds far cry, 

Lost in thoughts deep inside, 

Walking the streets of commuters drive.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Lurking unnamed behind the words is the pandemic. The speaker is commenting on a local scene with which he is very familiar. The difference now is that this crossroads, usually so busy, is deserted. No traffic, no people in the park, nothing but the mindless traffic light. The speaker walks on, Hamlet's somber question in his mind: To be or not to be. It is something on the minds of many today. The answer is still awaited.