Artificial Integrity is a Bigger Threat to Community

Let people be—the world shrinks  
with internet access, genuine connection
is rare.

none of us is who we claim  
we walk, talk, write  
mostly in clichés with  
breathtaking phrases we  
para-plagiarize unknowingly.

most of what we do lacks purpose  
the problem, as I see it: too much  
focus on another's porridge  
not enough care on the hungry 
human bidding for connection.

maybe they started with an AI handshake  
fixing grammar, or their confidence  
how is your dog threatened? 
what is this race? can you articulate
your itch, scratch some compassion 
off your backside full of insincere rage 
in the name of artistic integrity?

no shade, we've all been there,
hot takes aren't wrong  
just incomplete, one-dimensional  
slices angled to amuse bored strangers  
chasing a boogeyman for an imaginary win
on the internet.

spoiler alert, losing the plot like this
makes it tough to spot the bad guy.

Frost wasn't the first to find  
two roads where snow fell  
long before a self-centered poet  
stood cold.

tend your side of the forest  
avoid contests with borrowed words  
but if you enter a collaboration, I'll cheer  
your trophy as loud as mine.

which means I'll likely not mention it  
if you know me—I'm loathe  
to leave comments,

not for lack of seeing the talent or  
appreciating recognition, 
but like my poetry, I fear  
misunderstanding.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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