I am a retired middle school science teacher. Besides writing & making art, I substitute teach to augment my income and to keep a toe back in the pond of education and the world of kids. Mostly I work in high schools now. The students are out of puberty and are generally easier to manage. Lately, I have been getting increasingly sad and discouraged about students increasing addiction to their smartphones. Add to that, there is the total lack of boundaries of cell phone use from faculty and school administrations. I fear for the next generation… I wrote this poem after a particularly trying day this week.
Take Your Earbuds Out
I am talking to you
Let me see your eyes
I am a human
Trying to connect with you
Another human