Ladies and gentlemen
due to train traffic up ahead
we have failed to see beyond our noses
and made utopias for certain children to grow up in
due to our fear of interacting with others.

Eighty percent of our classrooms are tracked
without so much as a shift of the headphones
the subway loudspeaker begs clarification
craves a “What did you say?”

“What did you say,” went away
with years added one on top of the other
toxic additions, led paint
since the middle ages mounted
people kept in their place

What possibility of change exists
with the moneyed minority so small
who require no interaction
or practice being with others
enclaves of no need for hope
destroy us all

For this to be fixed
my children have to go to school with yours
your children might fail
might even be shipped off to war
in fact all of that would have to become normal