Learn to read the face of a clock
A face with no hidden meaning

We stopped at the crosswalk to stop look and listen
There may be a car coming, the right of way
 
They taught us cursive, no cursing aloud
Writing in long hand rarely short, always flowing

Walk or bike to school
Classmates on traffic patrol make sure you are safe

Once inside, our pencil is busy
Across light brown lined paper

On special occasions, a television appeared
Arriving on a squeaky cart  

When Kennedy was shot
The school, the world, fell silent

  ***  

The Magnavox lays silent, unless the occasion arose
To pull a black vinyl disc from its cardboard sleeve

The latest ball game, the Beatles, Motown
Emanate from transistor radios, they fit in your breast pocket

Talking with another in-person, a real live person
Humans at the kitchen table, over coffee, toast and tea

The phone rings and rings
Who is it? no one knows  

Somebody pick it up!  
Before they hang up  

The people of the analog time
They would call, write, or stop by for a visit

Excuse me while I relate
On analog time