MY FRIEND THE TELEVISION

The patriarch of digital life.

The television is on
alone
in the family room

I hear it
earnestly, faithfully
sharing vital international news
talking to itself

It seems rude
not to be
keeping it company

It's been transmitting ideas
and thoughts
without anyone
to receive them

My TV advises me
about critical developments
in the financial markets

Last evening
it wanted me
to learn some new cooking techniques

Later tonight
it will generously offer
to take my mind
off the cares of the day
with the latest movie
or football game.

The patriarch of household entertainment
my TV seems
to be trying harder

To be polite
I should go
take a seat and join it, or
take mercy upon its soul
and turn it off

Reviews

[Glen Yumang Manese]

YOU DETAILED THAT TO THE TEE...I RARELY WATCH TV...I DO NOT LET PROPAGANDA INFLUENCE ME...THE NEWS IN JUST RIDDLED IN REPORTING AND NOT JOURNALISM...EVERYTHING YOU SEE ON THE INTERNET IS ALREADY MASS COMMUNICATION...BUT I DO LIKE HOW YOU GIVE THE TV PERSONIFICATION LIKE HE'S A FAMILY MEMBER OF SORT...

[rutherford]

Thanks Glenn. There's a certain irony here. A time when people all reacted against the TV as a waste of time. Now, in the face of so much accelerating technology it seems almost old fashioned, like sitting around the fireplace.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

YOU'RE WELCOME...SOON THAT TV WILL BE EMBEDDED IN YOUR BRAIN LIKE A COMPUTER CHIP...YOU WILL NEVER MISS A MOMENT OF IT...

[Tam Warink]

...and there you have it. We are the TV; have mercy upon our soul and turn us off.

[Rita L. Sev]

When I am home alone, I keep the TV on, though I am not watching it. It's a voice in the background. It does sometimes feel "rude" to not be focused on it when it's trying so hard to be entertaining... Good details and relate-able topic make this a great piece.

[Michael G. Smith]

You penned what so many us have thought. Its funny when I married my wife I was a Tv watcher and she didn't own one. Now find life so peaceful without watching and she feels the need to always be.

[rutherford]

Thanks -- seems like the TV is now sort of an old - fashioned thing to have around the hearth, like a fire in the fireplace. Thanks for the review.

[Pryde Foltz]

Great personification. Yes, the TV gives all and what it doesn't the computer does.

[rutherford]

Part of my current fascination between humans and their devices. Thanks

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is interesting...i often have mine on but am at the computer or doing something else and not paying attention..it is more for background ...and yet when the satellite goes out and i have no tv...i get crazy...just need the security of having it...maybe i should be merciful and turn it off.

good write.

[Muse]

Glens review struck my interest and carried me here. The T.V. is such an interesting invention. It pacifies us into brainless submission. I rarely watch it anymore, but it does amuse me how watching someone else's reality can be considered entertainment these days. And the news, don't even get me started. Misinformed yuppies...like the game telephone...the story gets misconstrued so quickly...you don't even know what or who to believe anymore. Interesting subject matter. Thank you for sharing.

Muse

[rutherford]

Muse,
Thanks for stopping by. I tend to go in cycles about certain everyday things. At the moment, I'm looking for poetry in how the digital life has affected our human lives. I've almost run to the end...maybe a few more.