family room

 
it doesn't mean the same thing these days
doesn't carry the same weight
though at a glance...it wears the same skin
illusion...all of it
when once we gathered in community
laughing...relaxing...sharing our thoughts
winding down from the business of the day
children nattering at elders feet
cat in the corner...cleaning its paws
satisfied it fulfilled its duty
gearing up for an active night
while daylight quietly slipped away
dinner still scenting the air
dishes already done...dried...& put away
it was a place filled with love
no distractions beyond the chatter
sofa & chairs arranged...facing each other
nowadays it's a space where digital screens reign
no conversation of substance
just bodies collected...minds elsewhere
big screen covering a wall
small screens lit all around
it's not the same thing anymore
I miss those evenings...
...when the real thing still existed
mostly I miss all the faces no longer present
gone now...as gone as the true meaning
buried...but never forgotten