As part of an ongoing exploration of contemporary urban graffiti as it represents both destruction and construction, for this segment I’ve chosen to look more closely at the written word. What I’ve found is a personal, plaintive cry for attention.

Look around you.

How many people are tethered to either a cellphone or some form of music player? How many walk slowly along the street – their gaze fixed on a hand-held electronic device? How many stop abruptly to read the latest text message, or answer their cellphone? How many families rely on texting to know where their children are, and what they’re doing? When was the last time we talked to each other, face to face, without an electronic gadget to distract us?

When will we listen?