"the new god, Technology"

It seems we're becoming a world 

isolated from meaningful touch. 

I remember writing reams of pages 

on oh so delicately scented, 

tastefully detailed stationary… 

There was a texture and 

a weight to the pages, to the words 

that seem lost now on a screen. 

Making the trip to the mailbox 

to turn up that little red flag, 

there for everyone to see…

Telling the world I’m here…

Letting the postman know 

that there was a letter… 

An important correspondence 

by him to be delivered

When he’d gone… pay attention!

The flag had been put down!

I remember receiving letters… 

Pages in which life was poured out, 

penned to share a connection… 

Feeling so grown-up, so special… 

Important enough for someone 

to have taken that time for me. 

I miss that… don’t you?

I miss the sending and receiving.

Something has been lost… 

Something important… tangible…

Something indefinably precious 

has been sacrificed 

on the alter of a new god… 

Of the god… Technology.

by D. Denise Dianaty

Author's Note

Inspired by MusicMania's poem, "I Exist In A Time."

Reviews

[The Black Warrior]

Hahaha, I was waiting for someone to write something like this! there is no more face to face communication and as an IT student I know what that means. Yet, I still write my homework instead of typing it. And when I want to send a thank you letter, I write it down, not type it out. I enjoy it!

[MomzillaNC]

Same here. There's just something about the tactile sensations that make your connections real.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Feelings, especially romance get lost when sent by email

[MomzillaNC]

Truly. Beautiful words may soothe and inspire. But, they cannot replace in-person connection.

Thanks.

[Botania]

A poignant reminder to keep our humanity, our relationships and relations to one another, while paying homage to new forms of communication that appear, in their accessibility, to dominate our lives. I love how you included the great care, anticipation, and appreciation of yesterday's letters. Most endearing and true. The ending is particularly important as it serves as a warning to not place the easy lure of mass communication and application technology above other things in our lives. It shouldn't rule our lives but merely enhance it. Things like loving our God, face to face communication with family and others, our faith, our service, recreational, and professional clubs/associations as well as our personal space, "down time" away from it all should still take priority if nothing else to preserve our individuality and autonomy, thus allowing true democracy and freedom to continue it's march around the world giving everyone a chance to reach their true and highest potential. Well done Momzilla! Very important topic indeed. Nicely and gently handled.

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you so much. From your remarks, I feel we are very like-minded. You might like to read some of my spiritual poetry; I'd be interested in your perspective on them.

[therisa]

Advances, in technology is a double edged sword, for me, given my various learning disabilities, in that they help to cover my shortfalls, while exposing me, in other areas. Personally, I prefer to hold a pen, in my hand and write on paper, which I still do. There's something about this tactile sensation, a keyboard or touch screen will never replace. Of course, given my small handwriting, very few people can read it, the computer becomes a very handy device, to us.

[MomzillaNC]

IKWYM. I love technology and am very comfortable with it. It's connecting the world. It's also isolating us from our nearest neighbors. We can do so much more with technology and it's everyone's hands now. But there's a visceral, tactile reward to taking pen and paper in hand and creating poetry; to holding a real book and turning the pages, each action, every word, holding us, carrying us deeper into the story; to set brush to canvas… Technology cannot replace those sensations.

[Marie]

Well, I can't say I miss it at all. Postage and envelopes and real addresses were always a hassle for me. I fully enjoy the new technology which lets me sent word swith the click of a mouse.

[MomzillaNC]

Don't get me wrong: I embrace the new technology. But, as fast as that technology is connecting us around the entire globe, it's isolating us from our neighbors right next to us.

[Lyn Anderson]

I miss some things about it, yes, I agree. There are thoughts here that are so true. But we cannot stuff the genie back in the bottle. I love calligraphy, doesn't mean I like all the messy ink and cartridges and expense and time ... It's a trade off. What I like about the new is the immediacy. It has lost some of its personality, yes, but I can still make my own paper and haul out my own ink if I so choose.

[MomzillaNC]

Don't get me wrong -- I'm a complete technocrat. But, there's a tactile connection that hand written letters and hard-copy books provide that you simply cannot get from electronic communication. Technology has been a great boon to our times; but, while it's connecting us ever more globally, it seems to be isolating us locally.

[Lyn Anderson]

I agree. I have always said paper books should not be replaced. There are things that are better if they are not "virtual" -- I just wrote a poem that bounced off this write -- "She has the Knack" -- gave you credit in the notes.:)

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you. I'm honored you found inspiration in my humble words.

[Rene Salinas]

Well I can relate to this feeling. In the world I surround myself the inchorences are incredible. I can't hear well! while the headphones are on, I can see properly! while the glasses are on, is not imaginative enough as the world of anime, and fantasy comes from scripts, seven years old are given money to study Java script as the goverment here needs home - grown developers. Touch refering to 3d technology and slowly but surely the word thinking as well gets associated with sequential associations made by a mehcanical animal. Technology at least in my environment it is sold as an Exoskeleton so people think they can beocme more than.

While in the meantime we don't notice how the trees gently sway through the dance of the delicate wind.

Thankyou

[MomzillaNC]

You're welcome.

And, don't get me wrong… I'm a technocrat! But, there are some things we should hold on to. Things like letter writing provide a tactile connection to another person that an electronic letter cannot provide. It's the same with books (I'm a major bibliophile as well): real, hold them in your hands books, will never be replaced by e-books. The experience of a book is about more than just the words on the page.

[deleted]

I truly agree and understand this totally. I feel totally weird and out of place in this generation.

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you. Technology is great -- I'm a technocrat, myself -- but, as I commented above to Rene, there's a tactile connection that written letters and printed books provide that electronic media will never supplant.

[Sami Khalil]

I love the poem and the message about our tech age and relevance of older simpler methods. We have sacrificed so many things...:)........

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you. Tech has been a marvelous boon to our world. But, as much as it's connecting us around the globe, it seems to be isolating us from our neighbors and family -- ultimately the people by whom we are defined.

[Sami Khalil]

All true. You are welcome....:)......

[InsanityWriter]

I agree. Technology is good, but I do wish people would send more letters and such things. Good poem!

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you.