ISLANDS OF CONVENIENCE

I saw a man
in a red polo and a name tag
walking along the side of the highway
on his way to Burger King

I suppose he could bring his lunch
and eat it in the break room
rather than venture across asphalt   
for fast food and freedom

There is no siesta or sidewalk café
for this way of life
In this artificial community
with landscaped parking lots
and few footpaths
there is little beauty
and no rest
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* Previously published in the Spring-2008 issue of the Insight: Rivier Academic Journal  http://www.rivier.edu/journal/RCOAJ_Spring_2008_table.htm