Mr. Postman

Post office outlets are rapidly closing around the country now, and the end of "snail mail" as we know it is near. It's sad because postal delivery and the buildings that house branches of the post office in every community have been a part of shaping the community feeling (that is also evaporating everywhere in many other ways) that make life more pleasant. First we lost many of the neighborhood bakeries, and now the post office is leaving us too. Progress does leave collateral damage.
As businesses and people more often use E mail, the fax and other electronic methods to pass information along, and as the popularity of the personal letter continues to decline, there is no doubt snail mail is already in intensive care. Speed and cost have killed tradition. Too bad because there is something special about waiting for an important letter. It makes for a more exciting experience. Sending an E mail today is all about immediacy, and there is much less emotion attached to it. To illustrate this listen to one of my favorite Beatle songs about just that, 'Please Mr. Postman'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8BPcNUQy-0
The Lyrics say it all. The lines below from the song not only pine about lost or anxious love, but also about the power of the anticipation of receiving a letter. But in today's instant communication world the anticipation might last a few seconds. Though the song should hold interest forever, given the quality of the music, I wonder if kids today who have never lived in a world where there was only snail mail could fully understand or appreciate the angst the song displays. And that is a pity as well. A life lived only in instant gratification is far less interesting than one lived in anticipation, even in those cases where the anticipation might be negative. Mr. Postman, please bring a letter to me today...

'There must be some word today from my (boy) girlfriend so far away.
Please, Mister Postman, look and see.
Is there a letter, a letter for me?
I've been standing here waiting, Mr. Postman, oh, so patiently
For just a card or just a letter sayin' (s)he'll be comin' home to me.'

'So many days have passed me by.
You saw the tears in my eyes.
You wouldn't stop to make me feel better
By leavin' me a card or a letter'.