Too Much Technology

As a technology addict, I’ve equipped myself with every gadget possible so I can be in touch with the world.  Now it’s coming at me so fast & furious….I find myself looking for technology to shut out the world.  See below:

Seeking Deaf Headphones (by Linda Athis)

Something is wrong
when you search for headphones
to shut out the sound.

They cost three hundred dollars.
Was I willing to pay?
I put on the phones
and listened.

Anxious to please,
the clerk had promised
they’d be very very silent.

Me,
headphones on,
she said,
What do you think?
I said,
I can still hear you,
and walked out the door.

The Sickness of American Celebrity Worship

Americans are obsessed with celebrities.  Perhaps because they want to be one.  Many of us desperately want our “15 minutes of fame.”  Trust me…you don’t.  I’ve been a celebrity, a small one….but the experience was weird and devastating enough that I walked away.  No more big money, pretty clothes, and insincere friends.

 

Spotlight Gone(by Linda Athis) 

My eyes prefer shade,
as others seek light.
I crave cool safe-haven
to rest my body,
a blistered, wincing parcel,
ill from self-sought celebrity.
 
Do not seek it.
Do not wish it.
Once you get it,
can you lose it?
 
That warm temptress spotlight
will ravage your life.
Friends won’t be real.
Relatives are kinder.

Lovers come in quantity,
hiding hideous motive.
 
In a red-hot, sweaty, jealous fist,
the known squeeze tight their treasure,
and every new face,
exquisite body,
rare raw talent,
could easily snatch it,
like a most evil thief.
 
The known, they know this,
weep deeply inside,
for the helpless baby bird they clutch,
as the world plots to steal it.
This sad hatchling will never face age.
Never fly free,
find peace,
in seasons of life.
 
Do you have celebrity?
Don’t pause, don’t ponder.
Toss it like trash, like spit to cement.
Flee fast before you grab it back
and gasp at the kidnapper you choose to embrace.
 
Find fresh space, fresh fields,
search hard for the gem of the ordinary.
Talk not of yourself,
not of your past.
Walk away from those who knew you when.
Find instead, true family, true friends.
 
It is no sin
to leave no mark in this world.
It will still turn,
the stars will still shine.
And you, fortunate one,
at last will find
your ageless eagle inside.

Husband Heart Attack

My husband had a supervisor who abused him so badly that he would come home at night so angry…I thought I’d lose him to a heart attack.

Now that’s over  : )   Here’s why:

Corporate Museumby Linda Athis

The cleaner never knew,
when she pressed the shirts,
that this would be their last.
 
Entombed in plastic
they wait,in a closet
slammed shut for two years.
 
I held a grand opening,
pried open the doors
of his corporate museum,
untouched since the day
he walked away
from the mean and greedy.
 
22 fine suits
34 wood hangers
74 crisp shirts,
some needing links.
16 leather belts
20 pair shoes
A beast of a tie rack,
in a 70 tie choke hold.
 
All face a death sentence.

My husband
is happily retired.

It’s January. You’re Fired!

Whenever January rolls around, I always hear from friends who are laid-off or fired.  Management really hates to ruin Christmas for anyone.  But it is very hard to return to work in January, fresh from presents, season’s greetings, New Year hopes, good will, and then lose your job.  To all those frantically looking for one right now, or struggling to get over what just happened to your life, I offer this:

Gypsy Employee (by Linda Athis)

You’re fired.
I resign.
We’ve eliminated your position.
I’ve heard these all many times.
 
Forty-two years my father worked
in one, same place.
Was it fun?
Were there friends?
A respect for grace?
 
Me, I jumped,
assumed new faces,
lucky to rest two years
in any one place.
 
No one would have me.
Too blunt.
Too bold.
Even told,
too good to be here.
 
A heart
sliced and diced,
seeking employer appreciation,
I fled hard,
came home,
bought a computer,
got a logo
and thick, rich business cards.
 
There I earned my name
as one employee…single,
and a ten year stint
in my home,
so simple.
 
While those
with big titles,
who fire, layoff, let go,
they call for me.
 
I walk into their office
dressed to the nines,
cautiously posed
in leather chair,
and wait for the sign
when they tell me the secrets
they cannot bear,
and I, in turn, swear
to keep them.
 
I’ve spun 180.
Now I know
why they do
what they must do.
And me, how my heart pulls,
for all those past workplace wounds,
I took far too personal.

Talk Not

They stare.
I’m not social.
Won’t make their talk.
It used to embarrass me.

My silence comes from deep space within,
where conversation, time and space collapse.
You observe, and conclude my insanity…
but I travel places you shall never see.

Broken Vow

I’m frumpy.
I vowed so hard to never be!
Food on my lip’s edge,
twisted collar bearing lipstick blotch,
and God knows what else to revolt the world.
And ahhh….
the pleasure-filled exhale of not caring.

Secret Negotiation

At the fringe of dark wild,
I craved comforts so simple,
A mere tissue, blown into, was saved.
 
My rumbling gut
craved fruit
rarely found in Alaskan forest.
 
It felt like a drug deal.
I chose just one. 
One I thought might do the deed.
At lunch I whisper:
Can you find me an apple?
Complicit, my waitress leans in,
knowing she too, takes a risk.
I can, but it will cost you.

Doesn’t matter,  I say
 as if I have millions.
Then what do you want?
 
I scan for spies at nearby tables.
All clear.
 
Two apples,
two bananas,
to heal a shocked body
back to rhythm it knows.
 
She fades away quickly,
returns with a sack
and forbidden contents.
 
My bills feel luscious,
and I pay in cash,
adding hefty tip
for her employment risk.
She smiles subtly back,
departing quickly
avoiding capture.
 
And so,
if I asked God
can I have my life back?
What would be the price?
Would I pay it?

Let Me Go

Can I go home?
Please let me go.
Whatever I’ve done,
I’m sorry.
Let me be gone.

Spotlight Gone

My eyes prefer shade,
as others seek light.
I crave cool safe-haven
to rest my body,
a blistered, wincing parcel,
ill from self-sought celebrity.
 
Do not seek it.
Do not wish it.
Once you get it,
can you lose it?
 
That warm temptress spotlight
will ravage your life.
Friends won’t be real.
Relatives are kinder.

Lovers come in quantity,
hiding hideous motive.
 
In a red-hot, sweaty, jealous fist,
the known squeeze tight their treasure,
and every new face,
exquisite body,
rare raw talent,
could easily snatch it,
like a most evil thief.
 
The known, they know this,
weep deeply inside,
for the helpless baby bird they clutch,
as the world plots to steal it.
This sad hatchling will never face age.
Never fly free,
find peace,
in seasons of life.
 
Do you have celebrity?
Don’t pause, don’t ponder.
Toss it like trash, like spit to cement.
Flee fast before you grab it back
and gasp at the kidnapper you choose to embrace.
 
Find fresh space, fresh fields,
search hard for the gem of the ordinary.
Talk not of yourself,
not of your past.
Walk away from those who knew you when.
Find instead, true family, true friends.
 
It is no sin
to leave no mark in this world.
It will still turn,
the stars will still shine.
And you, fortunate one,
at last will find
your ageless eagle inside.

Hated Alarms

Please…
let every goddamned blinking light,
car alarm,
cell phone,
power outage warning buzz,
police siren,
fire engine blare…
please God stop!
I am sick from the scare.