When televisions were furniture…

Today a lone television hangs upon my wall because I remember when televisions were furniture.

Adorned with family memories, their viewing areas were places of unity. Though admittedly not necessarily were they places of perfect harmony…

We once determined what we watched using the art of negotiation when conversation between relations was a reasonable expectation.

Unfortunately when they became an affordable commodity, their unintended tragedy was to segregate our families. It was a travesty.

No need to negotiate at any rate — All now had sets of their own. Families that once watched TV together now watched their TVs together alone.

As with a vampire invited into our homes, we welcomed this invasion. As if hypnotized, no one recognized TV’s seductive powers of persuasion .

That is — until it was too late and the damage was done. Our society lost and paid a terrible cost as the advertisers and thought merchants won.

Divided in despair and with much to repair between humans too many to mention, more tablets and phones and gadgets that phone home —

now compete with parents for their children’s attention. A technological dream has become a nightmare. Its hazard can be seen in an impressionable child’s stare.

Does anybody care?

So many channels to watch yet so very little to see, with even less worth our consideration but if you’re asking me —

Between pundits, sales pitches, and fake schemes for riches, I consider it a blessing that even today’s TVs still come with off switches!

(We should use them more)

Today a lone television hangs upon my wall because I remember when televisions were furniture.

This poem I wrote because I’m having increasing difficulty remembering the last time I actually saw eyes in conversation with a young person…