FRIENDS THROUGH SCREENS

i talked to my friends

through screens today.

not screen doors like grandma’s in

south carolina, the one she’d tell us

not to slam, gravy sifting through

metal mesh like delicious spirit.

but kinda.

and not smoke screens

either, riot clouds

where we listen for

directions from us screaming

running from them, this way,

i’m here, over here, this way.

but kinda.

and not television screens

where we teleport to cartoon

and laugh track and someone

else’s life or life-like role

where doctor’s are perfect

except for an occasional affair.

but kinda.

i talked to my friends

through screens today.

turns out it’s true that zeroes

and ones can make a million

smiles, take it from me, but buffering

almost sent me into panic. Well, not panic.

but kinda.