Facing up to Facebook

65 Replies

Aha, it has arrived—my seventieth birthday.  Pictured is part of the detritus of a party that will not happen. A few days ago, I called off the 70’s Fondue Extravaganza Slumber Party and Games Night that I had planned. At that time, I was so sick with some mysterious intestinal and stomach disorder and I didn’t have the energy to do the last minute preparations—plus I feared I’d still be ill and have to call it off at the last minute. In addition, Yolanda was with her husband in the hospital and I didn’t have her to fall back on as usual.  At any rate, I’m feeling better today and so I’m meeting a few friends for an impromptu comida at a restaurant and chocolate fondue at Blue’s house later, so there will be some celebrating done.  This morning brings the welcome messages from friends on Facebook and I really do appreciate them, but as usual, they, combined with the daily prompt, have brought me to reflection.

I hope no one is offended by the below poem.  It is meant in no way to disparage the very welcome communication with old friends that such a day brings.  On the other hand, I can’t help but reflect on how our world changes and changes and how the cyber networks have not only brought us closer together but made it easier to drift farther apart.  I am as guilty if not guiltier of this than anyone else I know.  This is not an indictment, but rather a pondering over where we’ve been, where we are and where we are going—the sort of pondering one does at the age of 70, and if one is a writer or artist, probably at a much earlier age as well:

Facing up to Facebook

Facebook quips and tweets with hashes
have replaced  the dot dot dashes
of telegrams we used to send
to functions we could not attend:
birthdays and other days once meant
to celebrate with an event.

But now we sit in different places
pretending we’re exchanging faces
when in fact, for many years
our facial contact’s been in arrears.
They might have better renamed “Facebook”
“Those Who Have Vanished Without a Tracebook.”

It does not bring us face-to-face.
That is simply not the case.
Rather, it keeps us more alone
than even talking on the phone.
Old friend, it’s good to hear from you.
I know, there’s nothing more to do.

I’m just as guilty of it as you.
It’s what the whole world’s come to do.
We’ve simply moved too far apart
except in memory and heart.
It’s the new age’s way of seeing—
avoiding closer you and meing.

The prompt today was dash.

65 thoughts on “Facing up to Facebook”

  1. Relax...

    True. One long-distance child asked me to go on Facebook “so that we could keep in closer touch.” Ha! Daughter WHO? Mom WHO? Anyway, I’m wishing you a happy day and year, and a healthy one — I’m so sorry your party had to fizzle out, but it sounds like folks are celebrating you nonetheless! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  3. angloswiss

    Welcome to the club of golden oldies – I joined last year in December. And Facebook, it’s fun to read about the private lives of everyone everywhere. I am supposed to join in? My life is too boring compared to what the others are doing. Idon’t know how they get the time to tell everyone about it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  4. Marilyn Armstrong

    First, happy making it to another year! 70 is NOT the new 40, but if you are alive and reasonably well, that’s good! Really good! Whatever partying you do, that’s good too. I miss the live people I knew. All of them have drifted into the cyber world. I hear of them, but I don’t see them hardly ever. Since I doubt that’s going to change, I try to find my way to enjoying it … and I do. It really beats never hearing from them at all, which for many long years would have been the alternative.

    Happy Big Day from all of us to you and yours!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  11. Allenda

    So glad you are getting out to enjoy comida and dessert with friends. Have lots of laughs. I will be sending my distinctive laugh through cyber space. Bezos y abrazos, Allenda

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  15. Anonymous

    Whoa….happy birthday Judy! Always thought u were younger …wot a gal. We’ve 2 yrs before we embrace the big 70. Hope u r fully recovered and able to enjoy your BIG day. We so love your writing, u r such an incredibly talented writer. Thank you for sharing. Life rolls on DownUnda. Returned from a 6 week journey to France, just feeling ourselves again, after such a long flights and all the fun, frivolity and exhaustion of travel. Will keep in touch! Xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. lifelessons Post author

      But are you going back out again? You haven’t been to Africa yet, have you? I take it this is Pen and Ian?? My birthday was perfect. So glad my original plans went awry. oxox

      Like

      Reply ↓
  21. Manja Mexi Movie

    I see what you mean, but if you are a woman (or other) of action, Facebook may lead to excellent get-togethers. I just met twice with a FB friend from the USA who was travelling around Italy and who I’ve never seen before. When I visit Slovenia, there are people from my past there who I meet again solely upon our FB communication. I say if you wish for it, it shall happen. But those who use FB just as an uninspired keep-in-touch tool – it serves them right.

    In other news – I knew you’d party, at least a little. I wish it never ends. ❤ Cin cin from over her.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  25. Pingback: New Book Release – Jack Steele – “LONG SHOT (A Detective Joe Stone Novel Book 2)” (Crime Series/Thriller) | toofulltowrite (I've started so I'll finish)

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.