Autumn Noelle Hall

Back in the Day

“I hear ya,” she nods. But she doesn’t.

“I’m with you,” he thumbs up. But he isn’t.

“That’s just the way it is – get on board, or get left behind,” they insist, despite reality being closer to: if we don’t, perhaps we won’t.

I still recall when “Everyone's doing it…” was an excuse no mom would brook for bad behavior. But then, that was when moms stayed home watching children stain dungaree knees on dandelion-studded grass through actual – not virtual – windows.

last tree standing
in the old growth forest
– a cell tower