2

The Veldt Poem

Humans, but no humanity

Technology was always about elevation
Laughing at the very thought of stagnation
Anything could’ve been possible at the age of four
But years passed and it turned to desolation
These days I’m left in constant contemplation
Because all I am is ignored

My parents don’t look at me anymore
Working ’till they pass out on the floor
Telling me they’ll be there when they get off the phone
But what does it matter if they have hearts of stone?
Glazed eyes from looking at screens
Out of touch with humanity
I don’t remember when my sister last smiled at me
Little brother doesn’t know my name
Lives his life on video games
Doesn’t realize Call of Duty could actually take him to his grave

I missed the way it used to be
Kicking rocks and climbing trees
But we can breathe life back into this family
And bring warmth to this home
Let moonlight blanket the frigid streets
Dispose of machines that make it hard to sleep
Say good night to virtual reality
And reclaim what we used to own