smart things

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?