Dissipating Culture Poem by RoseAnn V. Shawiak

Thinking about cultures and how they are being set into
invisible images of the past.

Traditions built upon years and generations of families
and friends, slowly being forgotten as people become
acclimated to modern ways of life.

Seeing in families, a Grandfather, proud of his heritage,
wanting his Grandchildren to pay their respects to their
Grandmother.

Adamantly refusing to allow it, children sitting there
wondering what they should do, hearing this disagreement
between Grandparents seeming to confuse them at an inner
level.

Feeling it, wondering why it couldn't be done out of respect
if nothing else, seeing the tradition of a culture being
dissipated by someone whose culture and tradition it is.