Cell Phones

I see them as I walk to my current destination; others who have lost the ability to communicate. Walking along the cement runway their heads are aimed downward, their hands to their ears as they talk to the air. If a slight glimpse of another is caught, if a movement of the two holes in one’s head toward another is made, there is an instantaneous snapping of the neck. Their faces turned as they speak louder to their imaginary friends. This is their natural defense mechanism. It is how they let you know, “Leave me be, I’m busy. Too busy…busy…busy…busy.” I see these others doing as I am, but disconnected. With their faces down and their hands to their ears, holding mechanical devices which allow them to talk to their invisible friends.

“Hey…oh I didn’t want anything in particular…I was just bored.”

“Mmm hmm…yep…yea…sure…I don’t know…doesn’t matter.”

My vocal chords have remained still as no greetings are needed. No well wishes are given. “Morning, hey, *nod.” These do not exist anymore. The spoken greetings which were given to the people passed on a daily basis have become a nuisance. While approaching the door I need to enter I happen upon a rare sight. I see a single person standing, looking forward with no strange apparatus attached to either ear. It’s standing at the nearby street corner taking the occasional drag off of a lit cigarette placed between the index and middle fingers. I take this opportunity and stop next to it, amazed by the casualness with which it approaches eye contact. Upon lighting a cigarette of my own I attempt the impossible.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”