Don’t forget to apologise,
It took so long to reply
Don’t forget to make sure
That everybody knows why
Or what will they say about you?
In the digital shadow
Will they conclude
That you’re selfish and rude
Do you fear they’ll exclude you tomorrow?
A group full of text
Which profile picture will be next
Be it gracious or vexed in their tone.
Or statuses preaching
‘Inside, I am bleeding’
Your attention I am reaching for, ‘I’m so alone’.
And who said that not commenting,
Not liking or sharing
Amounts to a heartless departure from caring.
‘It’s just takes a click’. They preach
An approach, I impeach
If that is all the effort made,
how far does your sympathy really reach.
Yes, I’m sure they’re ‘real’ friends
While-ever, I suspect, their convenience lends
And the parade of thin compassion continuously sends
Their message, not recipient bound
Intending, instead, a wider audience found.
That their caring good nature shall superior resound.
And all while their child sits but three feet away
An app, their closest companion today.
I’m sure that in your case it’s because they won’t put it down.
The conversation you tried crashed and burned.
Your authority overturned,
they misbehaved until it was you that some peace and quiet earned.
But then what explanation do you offer now
When at dinner for grown-ups, the same thing happens somehow.
If this is being social, I would rather be alone.
It doesn’t feel very social staring silently at my phone.
Texting chat and groups and pages
Just to make sure I know what the latest rage is.
A world full of glass requirements, imposing.
A life full of notifications, disposing.
So take offence if you must
I make no effort to hide my disdain
Or enthusiasm lacklustre
For this very unsociable meme-filled game
I won’t be reading your posts, your comments or your blogs.
My time will not be sacrifice to the social media gods.