Gary Beck spent his life as a theatre director. He has published 24 poetry collections, 7 novels, 3 short story collections, a collection of essays and a book of one-act plays. He lives in NYC.
Electronic Purchasing
Rural folk
used to look different
than city folk
who spent more on clothes,
more aware of style,
until the information age
when internet technology
made it easier
to shop at home,
harsh weather,
dangerous streets
prime motivation
to buy online.
Death Calls
Living creatures
are disappearing
faster and faster.
Feeble efforts
to save some species
inadequate,
elimination
easier
than conservation.
Pollution
It is difficult to understand
why representatives of the people
allow dumping of toxic waste
in our vulnerable waterways
at a time when water
is a diminishing resource
in a thirsty world
that cannot do without
the precious fluid.
Moving On
Bryant Park is so busy
that certain birds moved out,
unable to compete
with pushy pigeons,
aggressive sparrows.
So birds I once saw,
vireo, catbird, thrush,
lots of migrators twice a year,
no longer appear to please the eye
and nobody else believes
they’re entitled to space.
