Hello

My ears were used to waiting,

For the sound of the phone ringing.

The high pitched tone seemed subtle

But made me cringe and unsettled.

A moment of mystery and guessing,

Wondering who could be calling.

'Hello,' I would ask patiently,

'Hello,' the voice would answer easily.

Then came exchange of news

and deliberate gossip and our views.

Talks of health and weather,

What we did or will do when together.

After the call ended, they still seemed far,

Their thin voice still warming my heart.

The phone remained tied to the wall

And I, to it, until the duration of the call. 

This new device in my pocket

I carry with me all the time.

I am secured to it wirelessly,

My mind hooked to it by design.

The endless scrolling of social media

Have made my thoughts autonomous.

The large screen of myriad colours

Has made my reality monotonous.

I can ID the person calling me

And choose to be busy idly.

Or answer the tone of impatience

And express my frustration mildly.

I choose to text than to speak

Afraid I might not hold my tongue.

Thank God for the list of smileys

I can try to fake my emotion.