Notes About The Poem

And Nothing Else Matters-In An Upside Down World

Perhaps in a row they sit on their chair.
At their small object they all like to stare.
In an upside down world, the room’s silence grows.
They sit on their chair, perhaps in a row.

With both thumbs moving, such dexterity!
Faster than cheetahs their thumbs seem to be.
Some with small headphones also are grooving.
Such dexterity with both thumbs moving.

You utter a word; I doubt they will hear.
On screens, words are better than in one’s ear.
Conversing sans screen they might find absurd.
I doubt they will hear you utter a word.

I see them in class not looking at books
in spite of their teachers’ dirtiest looks.
Tell them to stop; they just give you their sass, 
not looking at books!  I see them in class.

Their phones are in use all hours of the day.
Do not even try to take them away!
You might be accused of phone/child abuse.
All hours of the day their phones are in use.

I see moms alone with a child that’s hurt,
Not even giving their child some comfort.
Nothing else matters but their precious phone.
With a child that’s hurt I see moms alone.

The cell phone’s their all - their almighty God.
Anything else for them must be a fraud.
Some only text you; they won’t take your call!
Their almighty God - the cell phone’s their all.

When did this begin? Bringing phones in school?
Kids who don’t have them are thought not too cool.
To take students’ phones is likened to sin.
Bringing phones in school. . .When did  this begin?

A time and a place there is for all things.
I hate at the movies when a phone rings!
Cell phones at dinner? An utter disgrace!
There is for all things a time and a place.

Sadly, much worse, there’s texting while driving.
If you’re not trying to be surviving,
do it! Your next ride might be in a hearse.
There’s texting while driving, sadly much worse.

Nothing else matters to addicts, I know.
*Every cloud has a silver lining though -
Less actual talking with those mad as hatters!
To addicts I know, nothing else matters.

 inspiration from the Metallica Song: Nothing Else Matters 
Written April 28, 2016 a
using Swap Quatrain style, a form created by Lorraine M. Kanter and described at Shadowpoetry.com.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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12
Castellenas Avatar
October 9, 2020 at 10:31 PM
Hard, honest and powerful words shared. I lost many to drugs. Drugs, a deadly mistress. I see people with the devil's needs and I know. You can't stop their hunger. Thank you dear Andrea for sharing the worthwhile words.
Watt Avatar
August 13, 2020 at 12:04 PM
I guess we are of the age that can look objectively at this cultural phenomenon, but kids these days have not known anything else. Kind of like our parents' anxieties about television or rock-n-roll when we were growing up. Nicely stated in swap quatrain form, which you have mastered.
Gauthier Avatar
April 13, 2018 at 9:46 PM
An awesome tirade about all those addicts without boundaries. Well done, Andrea.
Martin Avatar
April 10, 2017 at 10:29 AM
This is really great Andrea! I've resisted getting a smart phone, but I'm typing this from my tablet :-( Not sure what the answer is - perhaps the next technological marvel? All the best! Mark :-)
Merryman Avatar
March 14, 2017 at 3:28 PM
This so true, Andrea! Great write! Congrats on your win! Blessings, Kim
Burch Avatar
March 13, 2017 at 1:51 PM
Lol. Yes indeed Andy!! Congratulations sweetie!! :) I have a basket I made where, all dinner guests place their phones(off), upon arrival and retrieve upon leaving. Even and especially Christmas and holidays. ;) well done! Love you bunches!! Deb
Canerdy Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 6:39 PM
WOW! This skillfully-written poem had me nodding my head in agreement throughout. Don't you hate it when a phone blasts out in church? It's scary to realize the power that these things exert in people's lives. Congrats on your win. Janice
Hamilton Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 6:01 PM
Wonderful write, Andrea, congrats on a fine win!
Breedt Avatar
August 3, 2016 at 11:50 AM
MASTERCLASS - The cell phone is the rudest device ever ro hit the streets. ( guilty too)
Promise Avatar
May 18, 2016 at 12:33 AM
Awesome poem Andrea, congrats on your win in first place. What some teachers have to...
Hlabisa Avatar
May 15, 2016 at 11:51 AM
Lovely poem.... Congrats Andrea
Rodrigues Avatar
May 14, 2016 at 5:19 PM
Love this! Congrats!
La France Avatar
May 14, 2016 at 10:54 AM
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !! on your top win with this amazing write, so true
Misra Avatar
May 14, 2016 at 10:28 AM
Andrea, I just couldn't stop stamping my feet to the rhythm of your rant! Am sure you must have written it in one steady flow of words and then done some minor corrections. And theme is so relevant! Great poem. A well deserved win. Congrats! ~karam~
Laurie Avatar
May 9, 2016 at 6:57 PM
G'day Andrea ... a topic of typical today that is so well written and explained - thanks Andrea - Lindsay
Dalei Avatar
May 8, 2016 at 6:17 PM
Very nice lay out all about cell phone. Smooth flow from top to bottom. Enjoyed & A7..............//:) hugs
Walker Avatar
May 8, 2016 at 8:40 AM
Well done on that subject. Loved this form also.
Ball Avatar
May 3, 2016 at 4:33 PM
I do Know what you mean. At work it's the same. Everyone in the staff room on their cell phones or ipods. I just read a book. I barely know how to use my cell phone. It's just for calls in case of an emergency or when I may be in the car and need help. The car phone doesn't work unless you have a cell near by. Great job here. Hope someone listens. God Bless, JB
Nau Avatar
May 2, 2016 at 2:19 PM
PERFECT! A sign of loneliness? Are social media and devices that strong in the, "to den" gene we all have, that says the group is better for survival than one speaking individual? Just wonder! Also, thought of Tom Robbin's book, "Even Cowboys Get the Blues" and wonder if we'll all evolve into Sissy with her GIANT thumbs! This was a great commentary on the present situation! An excellent protest poem and done with wonderfully honed skills. Thanks for the treat.
Salehi Avatar
May 1, 2016 at 9:00 PM
You did a magnificent job, you're absolutely right is an addiction.
Stebbings Avatar
May 1, 2016 at 9:01 AM
Very eloquent, Andrea, lovely poem. I wonder if they are sitting there writing poetry? A 7 from me as well.
Lamoureux Avatar
May 1, 2016 at 8:43 AM
Now they have glasses that you can read your texts without even having to look at your phone. They are also talking about implanting a phone in our fore arms.
Daniel Avatar
May 1, 2016 at 7:35 AM
I love this style:) A 7:)
Apell Avatar
May 1, 2016 at 5:15 AM
Enjoyed the flow--and the thought, Andrea! Perhaps the next step in the fabled evolution of man shall be the development of a stoop to accommodate our need to keep eyes glued to phones.
Williams Gault Avatar
May 1, 2016 at 4:45 AM
This was quite intricately scribed. Cellphones... while they can be lifesavers, like so many things, they can be addictive, and therein lies the problem. You showcased that fact, and quite well!
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