Multimodal Digital Texts

Historically, the term Lost Generation refered to the post-World War I generation, often its writers. The term is a cynical view of America’s materialism and emotional barrenness.

Originating from a remark Gertrude Stein made to Hemingway – “You are all a lost generation” – he later used it as an epigraph to his first novel, The Sun Also Rises (1926).

Lost Generation

I am part of a lost generation
   and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world.
   I realize this may be a shock but

“Happiness comes from within.”
   is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy.”
   So in 30 years I will tell my children
they are not the most important thing in my life.
   My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
   work
is more important than
   family
I tell you this
   Once upon a time
Families stayed together
   but this will not be true in my era
This is a quick fix society
   Experts tell me
Thirty years from now,

I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce
   I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
   In the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm
   No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth
   It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
   It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.

(Now read it again in reverse.)