Oh How Times Have Changed | Teen Ink

Oh How Times Have Changed

January 6, 2026
By Ana_Carolina BRONZE, Berlin, Massachusetts
Ana_Carolina BRONZE, Berlin, Massachusetts
1 article 0 photos 1 comment

Look at us

like we've lost our minds 

for simply saying hello,

for asking directions, 

for speaking,

as if we still live

on the same planet.  


In old movies,

they could walk right up to anyone,

a woman with groceries, 

two teens walking on the side walk, 

a man with a hat and tie

and be met with warmth,

or at least the decency 

of a reply. 


I wonder

if it was ever like that. 

If smiles were easier to come upon.

If kindness wasn't seen as a red flag. 


I wish it hadn't changed,

locked all the glances, 

Turned “hello”

into something 

to be afraid of.


The author's comments:

I'm an 8th grader and I take a creative writing class. This poem is how I feel about the world today. I'm a movie fanatic and I love old movies, what I've noticed about these movies is how people love each other, they're happy and they're not glued to phones or stuck inside. They mostly have respect and kindness to others and their communities. They always offer a helping hand and I wonder if this is true and if so why did we stop?


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This article has 3 comments.


max_arce07 said...
on Jan. 14 at 9:06 am
max_arce07, Orlando, Florida
0 articles 0 photos 8 comments
I like how it describes a lot of things that happens in the real world it also helps me understand the story more.

4804343288 said...
on Jan. 13 at 9:36 am
4804343288, Orlando, Florida
0 articles 0 photos 7 comments
I love how descriptive this poem is. It REALLY helps the reader visualize.

on Jan. 12 at 8:32 am
JulieBonfanti2030 BRONZE, Hudson, Massachusetts
1 article 0 photos 1 comment
Good gracious! This appears to be exceedingly genuine.