"The Ice Cream People" by Charles Bukowski is a poem that explores the theme of connection and disconnection in modern society. The poem describes a group of people standing in line for ice cream, all of whom are seemingly connected by their shared experience of waiting for a frozen treat. However, despite this superficial connection, the speaker observes that the people in line are all deeply disconnected from one another, lost in their own thoughts and completely oblivious to the others around them. The poem suggests that modern society is marked by a pervasive sense of disconnection and loneliness, as people are often unable to connect with one another on a deeper level and find themselves isolated and alone in a crowded world. Despite this bleak portrayal, the poem also suggests the possibility of hope and connection, as the speaker longs to find a way to connect with the other ice cream people and bridge the gap between them.

Read by Tom O'Bedlam.