Tonight's Poet Corner: The Real World

The Real World
by Belinda Roddie

They say the only way to free
yourself is to tear your hands
away from the keyboard
is to turn every screen in your
house toward the white wall
is to use your imagination to
replace billboard text with
ancient runes and Scripture
is to throw your cellphone
into the Pacific Ocean
is to throw your cellphone
into the Atlantic Ocean
is to throw your cellphone
into any of the oceans, really
They say the only way to free
yourself is to withdraw from
the world of SUVs and skyscrapers
oil refineries and skyscrapers
nonfat soy lattes and skyscrapers
but she drinks nonfat soy lattes
with a smile glowing above a
tablet screen, where she writes
stories with a stylus pen, and you
are so immersed in her movements
sitting across from her at the table
in the café on the street corner
where the skyscrapers loom
and you already feel free
and you already feel free
and you already feel free