Alone in a Crowd of Millions

Alone in a Crowd of Millions

by Marilyn Mackenzie

I've explained how I began writing as a child, sitting in a tree or in a field of tall grass with my sketchpad and journal balanced on my knees and a freshly sharpened pencil in my hand. I've also said that, sadly, I don't have any of those early journals.

A few years ago, though, my mother sent copies of some poems I wrote as a young child about my mother, dad, brother and sister. I'd forgotten how much I loved writing poetry back then. Every part of life deserved a poem. Every creature in God's world needed to be remembered in poetry.

What mom sent to me was not very good. I was young, and, sadly, I thought that every poem written should sound like Edgar A. Guest.   Since my vocabulary was limited, that mean that my poems were quite sing-songy.  It wasn't until I reached high school that I realized that there was such a thing as non-rhyming poetry and even rhymes that were a bit "different" and not forced and sing-song rhymes.

My early years, then, were probably important for developing the habit of putting pen to paper about everything I saw around me. Perhaps the words themselves are not as important as the fact that I learned to carry a notebook around with me to make notes.

But, once I hit the teen mark, I did start writing stories and poems which others thought worthy enough to be read, and sometimes even shared through publication. This one was published in a magazine way back then. The only payment was 10 copies of the magazine.

Alone in a Crowd of Millions

by Marilyn Mackenzie
March, 1970

Crowds of angry, pushy women
At a clearance sale

Crowds of screaming, excited students
At a football victory

Crowds of mechanical people
Sitting in a traffic jam

Cold, empty stares
From people you know 

Smiles and hellos
From complete strangers

People not wanting to get involved
People pretending not to see

Millions of people all around
Each of us is ever alone

Again I wonder...has the world changed any since 1970? Have I?

© 2005 Marilyn Mackenzie