i confess:
I enjoy some smart devices.
like checking on the weather
in Seattle or Timbuktu
on my phone.
and not having to remember
phone numbers is great.
leaves more brain room
for passwords.
but i think i would prefer
things with soul.
less convient. fussy.
possessed.
the typewriter with sticky keys
a cockeyed capital I,
almost but not quite italic.
and a decapitated small b.
that's character. or evidence
on the ransom note.
my temperamental
english roadster.
wanted the choke just so
on frosty mornings.
sweet talk, prayers
and cursing
were all involved.
the checkers
at the grocery store
knew my name
not my purchase history
embedded on a magnetic stripe
on the back of a plastic card.
and proper paper maps!
when you figure out
how to fold them
you're ready to try origami.
and tender whispers
on a rotary phone,
lit more fire
than cruising girls
on tinder.
maybe the gizmo
and gadget makers
could give their widgets
more personality.
the television wouldn't let you
binge watch real housewives of hollywood
or naked and afraid.
instead of storage wars
you'd be locked into
city council meetings
or at least a twilight zone marathon.
how about house keys
that teased you when
you can't remember
where you left them.
they call you on your mobile
and say, where did you last see us?
when you took out the trash?
oh wait, you haven't done that in a week.
and by the way,
when's the last time you called your mother?
