this world

you miss the pay phone.
the bottled
coke machine, red
and round shoulder,
sweating cold,
the counter fountain
where you
could get a grilled
cheese sandwich
and a pickle,
a handful of chips
for two dollars.
you miss
the gas station
attendant running out
to wipe your
windows,
the doorman, the thank
yous, come
again when buying anything
in a store.
you miss the tip
of the hat,
the good morning
salutation
from anyone crossing
your path.
it's a different world
than the one you grew up in,
and the next
one will
be less too.