The Sad Fate of Ferries
old, rusting, crumbling
those which faithfully
took us from shore to shore.
Now out of service
now dying out.
From a long-gone era
that valued more
the well crafted job
than the $$bottom line$$.
Replaced by newer,
slicker, more problematic,
less comfortable,
more ... stylish,
less of a personality,
newer, sleeker
more user friendly,
more impersonal.
"All ashowah, all ashowah,
all passengers
must leave the boat.
All ashowah, all ashowah".
Recorded voice (time present)
"May I have your attention please.
Welcome aboard
the Staten Island Ferry,
please pay attention
to the following..."
Mechanical pleasantry
babbles on and on,
I just wonder when
the capitan and crew will become "cyber"
as is happening in the subway booths
gone the way of the oil-check
and cleaning windshield
while you pumped gas
gone the way of courtesy
and mugging for a meal or a fix.
While those way up there
can play their political destiny
pulling strings that we didn' know
existed
but we march on
'till we're rust and bolts.
(c) Roberto Isaza
May 5, 2006