Poolside Poem by Nancy Terrell

A realization of others
occurrs during an afternoon spent
swimming at a local resort
Hours spent in watching
Americans at leisure -
vacationing in our paradise

Different concerns
due to income extremes
Most seem to be in the middle bracket
of course, one never knows
only by observation
considering poolside as leisure,
an interesting study

Eating, drinking, and photos
noone seems to be doing anything
like reading a paper or a book
several are engaged in casual conversations
saying nothing of importance to anyone
especially themselves.

I sometimes wonder if tourists today
exercise their brains at all?
or maybe those that do
would never lounge around a pool all afternoon.
or maybe those here
have worn out their precious brains
in pursuit of eternal samsara

Where did they all go?
Fleeing into the countryside?
Long evenings spent in contemplation
over ever-filled wine glasses
scattered about in 'crash pads'
on university campuses
They have not indeed - saved us from ourselves