Gary Snyder




The Trade

I found myself inside a massive concrete shell
       lit by glass tubes, with air pumped in, with
       levels joined by moving stairs.

It was full of the things that were bought and made
       in the twentieth century. Layed out in trays
       or shelves.

The throngs of people of that century, in their style,
       clinging garb made on machines,

Were trading all their precious time
        for things.