She walked in the door, all their faces were hidden.

Clutters of bikes that no one had ridden.

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Books unread, recipes unbaked.

Dishes unwashed, leaves unraked.

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She began to speak, to share her day.

But from their screens they did not look away.

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They tried for a second to lift their eyes,

But they quickly fell back—-to her surprise.

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She thought she was enough to pull them away.

But she learned something very important that day.

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The screens do not care what they pull you from.

They only care that you continue to come.

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Back and back and back for more.

Swipe, tap, beat your score.

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Look at us, look at them.

Better clothes, better life.

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They very thing promising joy

Only bringing strife.

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Imagine a world where kids play until dark.

Not on a screen, but at the park.

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Imagine calling a loved one to check in,

Instead of a text, “How you been?”

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I love this world I imagine in my dreams, 

Where we all face the world instead of our screens.

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I know it cannot return to before.

I just hope for a little bit more.

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A little bit more face-to-face talking.

A little bit less internet stalking.

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A little bit more being unique.

A little bit more standing up to speak.

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A little bit more kindness and love.

A little bit more rising above.

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I don’t believe the screens have made me stronger,

So I will not worship them any longer.

-Brittany

(And yes, my son pointed out the irony that my screen poem is published on a screen 🙂 )