A pity

Our generation,
the one before it,
the one following it,
all seem to lack the gift of oratory.

We don't speak anymore,
we read cue cards or teleprompters.

We don't debate anymore,
we simply have contests of volume.

We don't think anymore,
we parrot marketing slogans,
bumper stickers,
pat answers and pop psychology.

Sometimes I'm reminded that we could have been so much more.