Every once in a while, I take another step in expanding my writing style. I try to push myself a little more to evolve and improve my ability as a writer. I have no idea if it’s working, but there’s no growth without taking a few steps outsize the comfort zone.
I wrote this in a different format than usual. I was a little inspired by
‘s approach to how her written words also take on a visually artistic style all their own.The italicised lines are written to feel like an inner voice.
NUMBERS - We fall in love with numbers - remember the Sesame Street's Count? We just don't seem to know it We hope we can make them work for us We try not to blow it Numbers are everywhere They can bring grief or thrills The excitement of exceeding speed limits - I can't drive 55 either, Sam. The depression from paying our bills - Yeah, yeah, a necessary evil. We closely track our money Never happy no matter the amount - more, more, more! We earn and we spend and then - Hey, Amazon! We keep a close eye on the account - Ouch, Amazon ... But then came the internet - It's good but it's bad ... It was like we became possessed Numbers, numbers everywhere We became numerically obsessed How many followers do I have? - Who cares? And how many likes? - WHO. CARES?!? We wait and we watch closely Driven by dopamine spikes. - like a damn Starbucks junkie. MyFaceTokTwitsaGram - Pick a drug, any drug ... We need more, more, and more! Doom scrolling and arguing But the dopamine is what I'm here for! - Wheeeeee! But we still gotta keep watching - Why are my eyes bloodshot? And monitor every single number - hours wasted for what? Watching every single post We can't let ourselves slumber - take two melantonin and call me in the morning We compare our numbers To the point we're mentally ill - Need a straitjacket on Aisle 9! We've become stressed and depressed - Woe is me, oh despair! We're paying a painfully mental bill We're losing time - tick tock, people, tick tock. With our face buried in our phones And buried in our computers Robotic zombie-like clones A shell of ourselves Like we're in an induced slumber And why exactly? Because we're obsessed with EVERY SINGLE NUMBER - JB, 29AUG2K24
#poem #poetry #thoughts #internet #numbers
John… thank you for your kindness. That my quirky style of writing inspired your to push your own writing. Pretty cool poetry to come from exploring writing style. Keep pushing the envelop with with writing and poetry.
Numbers,their patterning, surround us every single moment. How they impact our time. Whether visible or invisible — nature is its own formation of patterning. I like when words play on the page. I like the italicised…give's a little more space for the inner voice to be displayed. Like texture in art. Thank you again for the mention. It's greatly appreciated.
Great job @John Brown! A wonderfully provocative piece that captures the complexities of today’s digital age. Thought-provoking and so relatable.