Phantom Scrollers

Poetry

Phantom Scrollers

Katie Frances Hartless

sci-fi, technology

Phantom scrollers

prefer black mirrors,

a shelf of selfies

from different angles

line their tables.

They experience

battery-life blues

from their time

in technology’s cradle,

a forward thrusting neck

as they mimic

crafting text,

not to mention

the ghost vibrations

haunting their pockets.

A favorite

emoji tattoo

on their backs,

but the tell-tale signs

of “before times” include:

poor personal connections

and elongated eye sockets.

Cover Art: “Cellphone Addiction” by Kevin Miller

The National (feat. Phoebe Bridgers) “Laugh Track”

14 responses to “Phantom Scrollers”

beth

so well said

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Beth. I’ve been taking more breaks from the black mirrors in my life.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Colleen M. Chesebro

Ha, ha!! I love this, K. Perfect descriptions.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you so much, Colleen. I somehow didn’t come back to this post. I appreciate your comments. Like I tell my students when I see them get the itch, “It’s not phone-o’clock.”
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
  1. Colleen M. Chesebro
    
    LOL! That’s a good one, K. Happy Thanksgiving.
    
    LikeLike
tiffanyarpdaleo

So well done, K! And thank you for including this song/video, I hadn’t seen this oe yet!

LikeLiked by 2 people

Reply
1. K.F. Hartless
  
  My pleasure. I just saw it recently, as well. They looked like laugh emojis, which worked well with this satirical piece.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
AdamFenner

Heavy.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Yes, well. It’s hard to let go of your humanity and become a slave to the machine. 😂 Kidding (sort-of)!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
  1. AdamFenner
    
    We wouldn’t be a part of it if it didn’t benefit us. Sort of.
    
    LikeLike
EclecticMusicLover

I could listen to Matt Berninger sing for hours, and the delightful Phoebe Bridgers seems to collaborate with so many artists & bands.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Same here, friend. I have seen the National a few times, but I hope one day he’ll tour solo. It’s a special sort of songwriting, I think, that really resonates with me. Phoebe is one cool cucumber. I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Ordinary Person

Very droll. I think we’re getting there as a species, if we’re not already there. The phone is now a limb.

LikeLike

Reply
idinfopedia

nice article

LikeLike

Reply