show them you are happy

If you don't show your glasses brand you think you don't see
There are false stories you have to tell to convince strangers that you're in love with your partner
If you believe a lie does it make it true?

If you don't share a photo have you really been there?
Don't eat your food before you share
And you can't enjoy it without watching a video

Put your bag on the table instead of a chair
Make sure everyone sees it
A few likes will trick your brain into thinking you're happy
If you believe you're happy are you really?

Everyone is happy
Everyone is happy in the screen
Show them you are happy
Convince them, not yourself.
You live for them

Reviews

[A.H.]

this is quite a reflection of today's social media behaviors. very well described, captured and observed through your eyes. these days, these days world is all virtual and everything you see is all on screen instead of face-to-face. it's sort of sad that, social media is all about validation and fakery. nobody shares that they are sad or unhappy on social media, only always the pretty faces and great life :) haha. this is a very true write, i really liked your perspectives here. thanks for sharing, Beren.

[Beren]

Thank you for your thoughts. I appreciate it.

[Inkspire]

A bittersweet reality of today's life.
We want to convince others to convince ourselves.

[Beren]

Yes! Thank you so much for visiting! Have a great week

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I've really got other stuff to do like clean my kitchen and vacuum because I like a nice, clean inside environment. And I like being outside under the judgmental eyes of squirrels and birds. Other than that, not really big on "approval" or "validation". I think whatever work you do should validate itself. A well presented satire here though.

[Beren]

Yes, you are right sir. I kinda grew up in that culture, and as a Gen Z knowing about these issues was a hard job. Thank you for your visit.

[K. Louis]

Great commentary on social media culture and how it shapes our perceptions of reality and happiness. The lines "if you believe a lie does it make it true?" and "If you believe you're happy are you really?" stand out to me -- they highlight the tension between presenting a curated version of ourselves online versus actual experience.

[Beren]

Oh my! Thank you! I really LOVED your work and it means a lot to me to hearing these from you! Have a great online experience!

[Lydia Shutter]

A wonderful picture of what happens in social media. Instagram, Facebook, and many other sites show so many happy people, wonderful families, smiling faces. To what end? To convince others you have an enviable life? It's all so plastic as we used to say many years ago. Great write. You speak the truth. Lydi**

[Beren]

I really appreciate you visiting, thank you very much. Social media is a huge lie and this lie is painted in such beautiful colors that we do not understand it.

[Everett Dulin]

A very stark observation you have made, I quit social media a while ago... Much to the same issues that this poem points out, wonderful writing as always.

[Beren]

When you read my poems I want to cry because I feel ashamed... I'm really glad you liked it. I'm even more glad you quit social media, but the problem isn't social media, it's the perception that people accept without questioning it.
THANK YOU

[Everett Dulin]

Why would you be ashamed? You're easily my favorite writer on here. We've all been kind of rotted, I wrote on perception and depth a long time ago, but you put it into words much better than I could.

[Beren]

Lately I've been feeling like I've been destroying my own poems with my own hands. Thank you really, this means a lot

[Everett Dulin]

I do that a lot, Jacob Erin-Cilberto gave me some good advice once. That when a poem is done just don't touch it. Sometimes those things you see as flaws are the emotion and texture that makes it great.

[Beren]

He is a wise.