Offline

Caroline Ho
Assistant Editor

“You'll have your internet next week,” the tech guys estimate.

My head is reeling, thoughts awhirl, fixated on the date.
A week without the web? I don’t know how I'll stand the wait.
No, maybe this won't be so bad. I'll make it good. I'll make it great.

There's plenty I can do at home without a web connection.
Without this web distraction, I can focus with perfection.

I will turn this into one whole week of wholesome self-reflection:
Rediscover real activities. It’s aweek of resurrection!

Now that I can’t waste those hours online, I'll use my time to cook.
I will tidy up for real for once, clean all those dusty nooks.

No YouTube and no Netflix? Back to good, old-fashioned books!
All this internet-less clarity brings such a fresh outlook!

Time to tackle my to-do lists long-forgotten or ignored.

Time to hit the gym, the library, plus all the grocery stores.

I’m determined to enjoy this as I go about my chores.

This web-free week will not defeat me. I’m refusing to be bored!

I will choose to make these seven days my opportunity.

I can shed dependent habits. I can break out this new me.
The internet's a trap, | think. Without it, look—I’m FREE.
Goodbye, web-addicted self. Let this be my grand eulogy!

I’m wholly ready for this week—
—wait, is that Wi-Fi?
My internet is back?! But just ftve minutes have gone by!
I guess tech guy was wrong. Now what?? Perhaps I should still try—
Oh look, notification light! Attention span, GOODBYE.

Wire Fence

Telka Pesklevits
Contributor

Tama stainless-steel nail.

You coiled yourself around me.

Together we made a wire fence

To protect the garden from the outside world.

Apple trees with delicate white flowers,
Groupings of sprouting lemongrass,
Even bushes of yellowed weeds,

All kept safe by us.

The flowers had turned to sweet fruit,
When I realized after looking around
That I was not the only nail

That you were strung to.

It was only then that I could see
We were not protecting the garden.
You and I were holding it captive,
And stopping it from growing free.

Tomorrow's rain will wash away
The rust stains you left on me.
But no matter what you do,
You'll always have the kinks

Of all of those other nails

Left in you.