I have 422 friends, yet I am lonely.
I speak to all of them everyday, yet none of them really know me.
The problem I have sits in the spaces between,
looking into their eyes, or at a name on a screen.
I took a step back, and opened my eyes,
I looked around, and then realised
that this media we call social, is anything but
when we open our computers, and it’s our doors we shut.

All this technology we have, it’s just an illusion,
of community, companionship, a sense of inclusion
yet when you step away from this device of delusion,
you awaken to see, a world of confusion.

A world where we’re slaves to the technology we mastered,
where our information gets sold by some rich greedy bastard.
A world of self-interest, self-image, self-promotion,
where we share all our best bits, but leave out the emotion.

We are at our most happy with an experience we share,
but is it the same if no one is there.
Be there for you friends, and they’ll be there too,
but no one will be, if a group message will do.

We edit and exaggerate, we crave adulation,
we pretend we don’t notice the social isolation.
We put our words into order, until our lives are glistening,
we don’t even know if anyone is listening.

Being alone isn’t the problem, let me just emphasize,
that if you read a book, paint a picture, or do some exercise,
you are being productive, and present, not reserved or recluse,
you’re being awake and attentive, and putting your time to good use.

So when you’re in public, and you start to feel alone,
put your hands behind your head, and step away from the phone.
You don’t need to stare at your menu, or at your contact list,
just talk to one another, and learn to co-exist.

I can’t stand to hear the silence, of a busy commuter train,
when no one wants to talk through the fear of looking insane.
We’re becoming unsocial, it no longer satisfies
to engage with one another, and look into someone’s eyes.

We’re surrounded by children, who since they were born,
watch us living like robots, and think it’s the norm.
It’s not very likely you will make world’s greatest dad,
if you cant entertain a child without a using an iPad.

When I was a child, I would never be home,
I’d be out with my friends, on our bikes we would roam.
We’d ware holes in our trainers, and graze up our knees;
we’d build our own clubhouse, high up in the trees.

Now the parks are so quiet, it gives me a chill
to see no children outside and the swings hanging still.
There’s no skipping or hopscotch, no church and no steeple,
we’re a generation of idiots, smart phones and dumb people.
So look up from your phone, shut down that display,
take in your surroundings, and make the most of today.

Just one real connection is all it can take,
to show you the difference that being there can make.
Be there in the moment, when she gives you the look,
that you remember forever, as when love overtook.

The time you first hold her hand, or first kiss her lips,
the time you first disagree, but still love her to bits.
The time you don’t need to tell hundreds, about what you’ve just done,
because you want to share the moment, with just this one.
The time you sell your computer, so you can buy a ring,
for the girl of your dreams, who is now the real thing.

The time you want to start a family, and the moment when,
you first hold your baby girl, and get to fall in love again.
The time she keeps you up at night, and all you want is rest,
and the time you wipe away the tears, as your baby flees the nest.
The time your little girl returns, with a boy for you to hold,
and the day he calls you granddad, and makes you feel real old

The time you take in all you’ve made, just by giving life attention,
and how your glad you didn’t waste it, by looking down at some invention.
The time you hold your wife’s hand, and sit down beside her bed
you tell her that you love her, and lay a kiss upon her head.
She then whispers to you quietly, as her heart gives a final beat,
that she’s lucky she got stopped, by that lost boy in the street.

But none of these times ever happened, you never had any of this,
When you’re too busy looking down, you don’t see the chances you miss.
So look up from your phone, shut down those displays,
we have a finite existence, a set number of days.
Why waste all our time getting caught in the net,
as when the end comes, nothing’s worse than regret.

I am guilty too, of being part of this machine,
this digital world, where we are heard but not seen.
Where we type and don’t talk, where we read as we chat,
where we spend hours together, without making eye contact.
Don’t give in to a life where you follow the hype,
give people your love, don’t give them your like.
Disconnect from the need to be heard and defined
Go out into the world, leave distractions behind.
Look up from your phone, shut down that display,and live life the real way.

By Gary Turk.

ok

Since na poem dey reign now.... make I drop my own poem too na




CHICKEN NO DEY CRY FOR NIGHT

IF E CRY FOR NIGHT

I GO KILL AM CHOP

IF YOU ASK ME WHY I KILL AM CHOP

I GO TALK SAY

CHICKEN NO SUPPOSE DEY CRY FOR NIGHT

#copyright @ buygala

modified..

True in some instances but men... have i made some totally cool friends on net ave never met before.

Thank God it was from Gary Turk and not you.

Sense making poem

chisos!!! does this guy expect me to read all these grammer?
anyway, make i first book this space before i check the poo

*yawns*

Enegod:
*yawns*

this your baby yawning is so cute & funny

SMH

Social media addiction affects relationship (No doubt)

as for me my present relationship is a girl I met online and till date we haven't met but hoping to meet soon.

Addicted to social media can't crash or affect you and your partner if you guys understand each other .

hmmmmm

shakazuldadon:
3!! Are you Mad Ni

Now that is Better

Midehi:

this your baby yawning is so cute & funny

Yeah... we will make two cute funny babies

alberto2k:

Enegod:
*Cry*

Why are you Crying Mister??

buygala:
ok

Since na poem dey reign now.... make I drop my own poem too na




CHICKEN NO DEY CRY FOR NIGHT

IF E CRY FOR NIGHT

I GO KILL AM CHOP

IF YOU ASK ME WHY I KILL AM CHOP

I GO TALK SAY

CHICKEN NO SUPPOSE DEY CRY FOR NIGHT

#copyright @ buygala

Loll

Nice piece.

Can this poem heal our idle minds, no! We've acquiesced ourselves into thinking we cannot live without modern technology entirely. We just have to live with it.

Many of us would read this and agree it's true but keep looking for the next interesting thing to read online.

Many would read and share with an online friend then spend hours discussing it with that friend till they eventually forget the msg in the poem.

it's weird,, really.. and it transcends just relationships with partners,, rather,, it cuts across every facet of our relationship with the real world.. in this century,, errything is so complicated.. the Internet floods us with information and we get all these distractions in form of 'gists'.. if you're not careful,, you'll fall into the trap of thinking that you should always be busy,, and that U must always be involved in something big and exciting.. this leads to spending a larger chunk of time online,, trying to keep up with the Jonses and the Kims,, which really shouldn't be the case cos mostimes these/they aren't what matters.. most peeps gotta learn to slow down and enjoy the simple 'real' things.. turn off Ur phones and spend more time with Ur fam and Ur real buddies- take a walk - go for a bike ride - play games together.. just do these special things you dont even hav to pay for.. create real memories and enjoy the real journey.. but again,, we live in the 'jet-age',, so I guess it is what it is.. online shii is the trending status quo now.. Tsk Tsk..

pryd:
The pros and cons of today's world I suppose.
Interesting piece, the last verse resonates, wonderful parting shot!
Thanks for sharing.

You are welcome

Khaytunechi:
it's weird,, really.. and it transcends just relationships with partners,, rather,, it cuts across every facet of our relationship with the real world.. in this century,, errything is so complicated.. the Internet floods us with information and we get all these distractions in form of 'gists'.. if you're not careful,, you'll fall into the trap of thinking that you should always be busy,, and that U must always be involved in something big and exciting.. this leads to spending a larger chunk of time online,, trying to keep up with the Jonses and the Kims,, which really shouldn't be the case cos mostimes these/they aren't what matters.. most peeps gotta learn to slow down and enjoy the simple 'real' things.. turn off Ur phones and spend more time with Ur fam and Ur real buddies- take a walk - go for a bike ride - play games together.. just do these special things you dont even hav to pay for.. create real memories and enjoy the real journey.. but again,, we live in the 'jet-age',, so I guess it is what it is.. online shii is the trending status quo now.. Tsk Tsk..

Excellently put.

Memekay:

Nice analogy.

Lol @ buygala

ronald4lif:
Hmmm. Amazing read!

How u dey .. How u see topic any truth in it

Wow that blew my mind. I've seen families out in a restaurant and every member of the family is looking at their phone or tablet. I go out with friends and they spend more time telling facebook where they are and who they're with than enjoying my company. They are busy taking pictures of their food and editing and sharing than to appreciate and give thanks for the food in front of them. #I'm putting down my phone and going to enjoy the real world. Thanks missy