I woke up arthritic
less rambunctious
humbled and self-aware
looking too much before I leaped
lost audacity
but gained a slowness
that allowed me to notice
ease giving minutia like a detachable
faucet in a kitchen sink
which had gone unseen
in plain sight.

I woke up in a world that required
technology I didn’t grow up with
a world where constant contact
can create loss of connection

I woke up in a world that is melting
riddled with consumer convenience
and profit
addiction.

I woke up in a world where
my grandma isn’t anymore
where friends keep getting lost.

I woke up in a world where we are all drowning like Narcissists in the lake

I woke up in a world where people
have things in their ears
eyes on a screen
in public
they don’t hear or see my son
waving and saying,
“Hello. Hello. Hello! HELLO!”

I woke up in a world where an automated assistant interrupted me writing
this on my phone
though I never enabled it
I said, “Fuck off, turn off.”
and it gave me instructions on how to disable it.

I woke up in a world where politics
and law
are a reality tv show.

I woke up in a world where
having emotions is an emotional
issue.

I woke up in a world where
the 90s are retro and vintage like the 40s once were.