Do You Have An Evil Screen?

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Standing, peering out the back door sipping coffee came the visualization she had beaten the sun. The sun, turning and opening one eye was just now beginning to play tricks with shadows of the light; it was not awake. “Oh you are a sleepy head, I could sure use the light,” she muttered and some what miffed. “Well I cannot wait, not today.”

She closed the door slowly and headed for the other room. Still dark, her fingers tentatively reached for the light switch and turned it on. “Oh, no pain. I’m so thankful the light has become my friend again.”  The good omen made her happy and she continued one by one with the morning routine. It was there in this routine she found a tear, a single tear. “Why and how do did you get trapped in there?” she cried.

Scanning the illuminated square she felt all emotions and yet somehow numb. For there in the confines of that tiny illuminated screen passed the images of souls who had touched her, moved her and shared with her. Souls she had not forgotten, ones she often spoke of and yet now seemed forever trapped to the confines of that screen. “I never meant it to be this way,” was all she could think.

She starred at souls as they passed by. One had achieved such great accomplishments she longed to give them a deserved pat the back. Several passed whom had brought such joy, filled her life and mind with beautiful, “remember when” memories. To many whom are suffering; lost a loved one, trying to conquer an endless mountain or just needed a hug. “The evil screen has you trapped, how do I reach you?” she tearfully screamed, but the evil screen just blinked.

It just sat there blinking, as if to say, “this is what you did, you blinked and now they are gone, I have them.” She knew she had blinked, knew it was all her fault. Too many tomorrows that now added up to lost time, lost supportive touches and who knew what memories had never been made? “Oh you, what an evil screen. I must find a way to free those souls. Don’t you blink at me,” and yet, the evil screen  blinked.

Don’t you feel this way when you travel around your social media circles? People who were once a soul that touched you but all you have now is what that evil screen shares with you.

It broke my heart to learn a high school friend’s mother passed away and the evil screen just illuminated her sorrow. I had missed the chance to be a FRIEND. I had blinked and lost touch.

Though our lives have become more complicated and we spread ourselves way too thin being a real friend remains the same. It requires more than a line on a screen. It still involves a hand, a shoulder, a spoken word.

Please my friend, don’t blink.


PS: A very warm thank you for all the well wishes. I was lucky this time as my vertigo passed in a day.



14 comments:

Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré said, 

Jules, yes, I've found out awful things through my screen. But I find it life affirming rather than evil. Would I have known if it were not for my sweet screen, my life-giving, lovely, paid-for screen? Probably not until much later. Then I would really have felt cheated.

You and many others have become my family. My wonderful screen is how I found you and touch you. It is how you touch me back. I feel your hugs.

No, I don't find the screen evil at all. The screen is my friend. She captures my memories and my thoughts, creates new worlds, introduces me to new friends.

I love my screen and all those like her.

I'm so glad you're feeling better. Vertigo is awful. Last time I ended up in ER. Ugh. Not pretty or fun.

Have a wonderful day. Sleep, sleep, sleep...

Thinking of you, that rebel, Olivia

September 14, 2010 at 9:29 AM  
Mary@GigglesandGuns said, 

Jules--
Beautiful, thought provoking, enlightening and unsettling. I loved it.

September 14, 2010 at 9:38 AM  
Summer Ross said, 

Very emotionally involved this piece. Your right though, we get tied up with everything we blink and the chance to do something meaningful is gone. I hope you have a lovely day today!

September 14, 2010 at 9:47 AM  
Arlee Bird said, 

This piece presents an interesting concept that is a sad statement on the way things are becoming. So much of the time many of us find that our friendships are almost on the verge of the imaginary as we communicate with people we never see or hear, and actually don't know if they really exist.

Direct interactions of all types with other people is needed to nurture and comfort us. I don't necessarily think of any screens in my life as necessarily good or bad, but just a barriers.

Lee
Tossing It Out

September 14, 2010 at 12:14 PM  
RHYTHM AND RHYME said, 

It's so easy to blink, I have been lucky, in the past have had such wonderful friends some no longer here but the memories are so precious.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful post,

Thanks for the visit and lovely comment I will treasure itl

Yvonne.

September 14, 2010 at 12:22 PM  
Alex J. Cavanaugh said, 

As the world grows smaller and more connected, we often feel even more disconnected from those who are our friends.
I'm sorry about your friend's mother.

September 14, 2010 at 12:46 PM  
Unknown said, 

I have some great blogging friends. Wow, now I know two people with vertigo. Yesterday, I knew no one. I have met friends online that have suffered with depression and those that have lost family members. I feel their sadness.

CD

September 14, 2010 at 12:47 PM  
Jules said, 

The Rebel Oh, I do agree but today it just seemed evil and I know it was my fault. I'm SO honored to be a part of your cyber family and Girl... I don't care if I have to make a special trip there will be a face to face :)
Karen Sorry to give you the chills and I don't do Twitter either. But am glad I touched you.
Mary and Summer Glad you felt all of that from my words, must be doing something right.
Lee It is sad isn't it?
Yvonne Thank you, I'd really wish we could just sit and chat in person.
Alex Very true my friend and thank you.
Clarissa I'm glad to introduce you to human vertigo, lol. It is really heart wrenching isn't it?

September 14, 2010 at 1:19 PM  
Paula said, 

Had to check the dictionary for the word vertigo yesterday - the limitations of my language abilities. However glad to hear you have improved. And you stunned me with this exquisite piece. A weaver of words, you are! Your souls hines in every word. For me the screen is my friend, connecting me with my husband to be in Florida, my friends in bloggie land and gratefully I receive support and care. However I would switch a coffee and hugs with any time with this screen...

September 14, 2010 at 2:26 PM  
The Words Crafter said, 

I understand what you mean and like the way you depicted it. We do need to stay connected.

My screen is only evil when it loses my friends and/or makes me want to be evil right back.

Otherwise, it allows me to visit with my faraway friends, like you.

Screens are a mixed blessing, I guess...I'm sorry about your friend's mother.

September 14, 2010 at 7:36 PM  
Unknown said, 

I think you already know I have a love/hate relationship with my screen. *smile*

Glad you're feeling better today.

September 15, 2010 at 3:09 AM  
Nicole said, 

I love that I can access new worlds with my screen. I don't love how easily others can deceive me via the screen...

http://damselinadirtydress.blogspot.com

September 15, 2010 at 4:19 AM  
Paula said, 

Jules, thanks so much for your kind comment on our move. You suggest Savannah - that is actually the city I had chosen to spent the rest of my life. Savannah!

September 15, 2010 at 7:13 AM  
Gail said, 

Glad you are feeling better.

Paula, I love Savannah!

September 15, 2010 at 8:42 PM  
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