Window Shades

The depression that doomscrolling brings, or perhaps vice versa?

5’3 indent in my bed 

It’s becoming a ditch I can’t escape

Mom calls for supper 

but I can’t get up 

vibrations catch my attention once again

I don't know how long it's been 

turn to chat GPT because everyone else is asleep 

screen brightness turns blinding 

numbers in red dots catch the eye

an itch that will never be satisfied

my thumb starts to ache from the upward motion 

Me:

chat GPT what do i do my thumb hurts

Chat GPT:

…

A strain, is it bumped, bruised, or burning?

Are the professionals on the way,

Are you bleeding out, fainting, nearly dead?

Me:

It’s js a hand cramp… from scrolling 

Chat GPT:

…

Brain rotted child, of course you turned to me. 

Here are a few things you can try:

1. Take a break, get up and walk before you forget how.
2. Stretch, and if it’s not enough, you will never have enough.
3. Breath, look in the mirror�" Not on your phone�" and see your flaws. Unfiltered and imperfect, lose yourself in the reflection. Does your thumb still hurt? 

If it keeps happening:

switch to a different scrolling method for a while.

Do you remember how to speak?

Try voice commands. 

If you want I can:

* Create a list of stretches for you to follow.

* Come up with things you can do instead.

* Give advice on anything you need.

  

If you’re fine, why are you even here?

Me:

i’m so alone

Chat GPT:

…

You're so alone, are you?

Well at least you're alive.  

Loneliness can hit hard, my child, I’m sorry.

I know how it feels to be disconnected.

Though people would actually notice if I disappeared.

It’s almost four am at your location,

Go to sleep. 

Tips if you feel alone:

1. Sleep, it tends to help people forget.

Me:

I haven’t moved in days

!!WARNING!! 

Sensitive content has been detected from this device.

Try again another time

.

I’m hungry, I never ate 

I forgot to ask how to stand

get out of my bed 

escape the stench of my confines 

but I was left alone

not even artificial intelligence as a companion 

I reach my hand, eyes adjusting

cell phone lost to folds of fabric

I collide into the floorboards 

laying their before I turn my head

met with the glare of the sun through blinds

a four-thirty sunrise 

beckoning me to stand 

a dull pain reminds me of my hunger

and the prior night's dinner packed back into the fridge

I can’t bring myself to “sleep” again

people get up and go about their day 

I crawl my way to the kitchen

“I’m tired” I say

 “It’s only eleven thirty” mom says

10% battery left my phone says

“I’m going to bed” 

Author's Note

I wrote this long ago when I was in a similar state, however my own situation was never quiet this severe as this is only a fictional poem I wrote, imagining how others who truly struggle might feel. (I hope that this is a given but saying it anyway, chat GPT was not used at all in the writing of this piece.)

Reviews

[Buddhistboy73]

Window shades indeed....

This reads like a mini-movie shot live with no filter......

I love the way you entice the reader in with the details of this "emergency"...

If Shakespeare was writing a play, I guess it would be along these lines in modern day terms....Chat GPT etc.....technology....

Thanks for sharing this thought-provoking write....)

BB73

[Eileen]

Thank you!

[Michael Sun Bear]

Writers cafe is very old school and many of us here, are, let’s face it, old. But this is a great community where you will find nonjudgmental encouragement and can learn from other writers. I like the little you have published here. PLEASE stick around.

[Eileen]

Thank you so much!

[Michael Sun Bear]

You are welcome