Month: October 2020
Intimacy Armageddon
The digital age
At first glance seems clever
All this technology
Designed to keep us ‘together’
To keep us ‘connected’
Wherever we are
But if I’m totally honest
I think it’s a farce
For it enables us
To be lazy in our communication
Removing any necessity
To be physically present
When you can just send a text
With the tap of a few keys
Or email someone
You are relieved
Of any obligation
To make anything resembling an effort
To make an actual connection
Thus human contact is virtually severed
You certainly know your ‘worth’
When no one picks up the phone
When instead they record a memo
That you inevitably listen to alone
No option for conversation
A two-way thing
That involves interaction
And true dialoging
No eye contact either
No handshake
It’s akin to a bereavement
And my weary heart breaks
No hope of ascertaining
Someone’s warmth of tone
Or of reading their expression
And regarding the state of their soul
And so we avoid each other
Like the proverbial plague
As we succumb to greater reliance
On the digital age
This divide and rule plan
Seems to be working
Too many of us regrettably
Interaction are shirking
Afraid to venture out
Afraid to friendship kindle
Regarding those outside of our bubbles
As lepers with whom we shouldn’t mingle
And so people are losing
Their zest and will to live
It’s a sorry state of affairs
That it has come to this
We may as well be in a prison cell
With a smartphone as a mate
Oblivious to the bars which confine us
And the locked bolt across the gate
As long as we get ‘likes’
And the odd red heart emoji
As long as our phone bleeps sometimes
Surely we will never be lonely
As long as we have WiFi
And our reception is strong
Let us worship at the alter of technology
And to hell with what is wrong
Are we but islands?
On a sea of division?
Does the current to the ocean
Not flow from a river?
Does the river not form
From a tiny mountain spring?
That swelled from the raindrops
Collected therein?
That fell from the sky
When the clouds burst at the seams?
Don’t you see how we all are connected
Like the water in the streams?
It’s doesn’t do to be separate
Or we’ll dissipate and die
Whereas together we are strong
And can rise like the tide
Civilisation is being deconstructed
Machines are taking over
Our lives are moving increasing online
Fellowship rarer than a four leaf clover
Our prospects don’t look good
If we allow this decline to go on
It’s as if we’re facing a form of extinction
An intimacy Armageddon.
Be There
In these strange
Unprecedented times
Spare a thought
For those who find
Themselves isolated
For days on end
Not having any physical interaction
Completely cut off from friends
With society practically closed
And many working from home
Or others furloughed, unemployed
Spending too much time alone
Do check in
Don’t leave them to rot
Consider visiting
So they know they’re not forgot
And if you do make plans
At least see them through
Don’t let someone down
Whose relying on you
You might just be
The highlight of their week
You may be the only other human
That they actually see
Physical contact is vital
Having company means so much
So keep your appointments where possible
Don’t deprive another of that stuff
Suicide rates
Are sky-high right now
People are lonely
But perhaps ashamed to reach out
Even the strong ones
Without diagnosed conditions
Are battling right now
With these f**king restrictions
So if someone goes quiet
Give them a shout
If they’ve suddenly gone AWOL
At least check them out!
I’m not saying it’s your job
To save someone’s life
But a sense of community
Would really be nice
We were meant to live in tribes
And take care of each other
Not exist in segregation
Terrified of our sisters and brothers
It’s so messed up
What is happening right now
The real killer isn’t COVID
If you were in any doubt
It’s depression, Alcoholism
Addiction and neglect
So please be a bit selfless
And you might just resurrect
Someone from their pit
Of despair
Just by, from time to time
Simply being there.
P.M.T.
Heightened hormones aren’t funny
I’ve mentioned this before
When your moods are unpredictable
And rationality is no more
When you feel like you’ve been peeled
And you’re literally exposed and raw
When you veer from hyper to a sobbing wreck
Or throw tantrums not knowing what for
When all you want to do
Is snuggle up, cocooned in your bed
And cry yourself to sleep
Or gorge on chocolate and junk instead
When no matter what you do
You simply feel depressed
When you’re beyond tired and weary
And can’t be arsed to get dressed
When you’re swollen and puffy and sore
And can’t bare to look in the mirror
When your skin feels greasy and pimples sprout
And you swear last week you were thinner
When the cramps begin to start
And it feels like you’re going into labour
When the hot flushes cause you to weep with perspiration
And you crave the weirdest of flavours
I recommend
You batten down the hatches
Interact with no one
Thus averting disasters
For not a soul is safe
When you’re in this state
On the shortest of fuses
Bloated, full of hate
Do the world a favour
And stay inside!
Until sanity returns
And your boobs are back to their normal size!
It may sound shocking
But it’s for the best
Because every month it’s like the mark of the Beast
Is inscribed upon my head
I know not what I’m possessed by
But it’s demonic and scary to see
A virtual life sentence ‘til I hit menopause
This b**tard they call P.M.T.
Apathy
I want to fall through the cracks
I want to disappear
I’m clinging on to a fake life raft
That couldn’t care less if I’m here
I just want to let go
Cut the apron strings
But with the economy in the state that its in
This thought anxiety brings
The treadmill that I’m on
Moves in circles relentlessly
I’m doing something I despise
When all I want is to be free
No one gives a monkeys
Inadequate training ensures
That I have dozens of questions to ask
Having to constantly bang on doors
That few actually want to open
Because no one gives a f**k
That the inexperienced are drowning
Tangled up in systems and stumped
And the biggest bug-bear of all
Comes from admitting when I am stuck
To be told to use my common sense
And effectively make it up
Ha, what a joke!
That no one will bat an eye
A mouthpiece has spoke
And confirmed that I won’t die
If I get certain things wrong
(A red flag to a perfectionist)
Just invent it as you go along
It’s really no bloody great risk!?
So pride in my work goes out
The proverbial open window
The one thing that I had left
In that competence I wanted to show
For if nothing really matters
In this imposing joint
I’m left beyond demotivated
And screaming “what’s the point?!”
But as I earlier said
The country’s in a mess
There really is no exit
In spite of my intense distress
Unless I just throw in the towel
And fall beneath the cracks
Slip away, stay in bed all day
For apathy here is not something I lack.
Think!
Mind how you treat others
Measure the things you say
Watch your tone of voice
Especially when far away
Don’t bark down the phone
Don’t hang up in a fury
Don’t take out your stress
On another, it’s unsavoury
Try at all times to be nice
You don’t know what someone’s going through
You don’t know what kind of day they’re having
Unless you walk in their shoes
And don’t kick them when they’re down
Or tell them they’re being sensitive
Something small to you could be big to them
For problems are all relative
Listen when someone’s upset
Offer comfort don’t shut them up
One day it could be you
Who’s crying, in need of love
If you haven’t got the time
Don’t pick up the phone
Sometimes people just need an ear
To feel not so alone
So if you lack the patience
Or empathy is in short supply
Perhaps sit this one out
Lest you inadvertently antagonise
For you never know how close to the edge
Someone teeters before they crack
Don’t be the match in the gunpowder barrel
You strike with your attack
Think before you speak!
Don’t do anything rash
For once deeds and words are out in the ether
No more can you take them back.
The Wind Of Time
Change is on the horizon
The wind of time is blowing
Do you know what is coming?
Have you got your eyes open?
In the bleak mid-winter
Much will come to pass
The tapestry of the world
Unravelling somewhat en masse
Those who still dwell in slumber
May be jolted from their dreams
Those who have awakened
Have come to anticipate such things
Our very foundations may shake
Trust the ground you stand on is firm
History can sometimes repeat itself
For some things we have to relearn
Hold your loved ones close
Remember who you are
Centre yourselves and pray
Meditate and act from the heart
The wheel is starting to turn
The downside of a cycle
Turbulence may come before
The ensuing peace we desire makes its arrival
Question everything
See the truth as it is revealed
Don’t shy away from what stares you in the face
When secrets are no longer concealed
Listen to the voices
Of those who resonate
Listen to your intuition
Refrain from division and hate
We all are one
All lives matter
We are not a herd
Of sheepdog following cattle
Each of us have the capacity
To think and use our brains
Don’t gorge on fear and be spoon fed
Don’t let negativity drive you insane
Positive vibes are needed
Love in spades must be spread
This ‘plague’ that is upon us
Hasn’t consumed us yet
Serenity in the face of calamity
Is what is needed here
So turn to God as you understand him
And engage His benevolent ear.