My Beautiful Addiction

I lie here in an empty freezing prison cell, 

Alone apart from the black mirror in my hands. 

How long I have been here I couldn't say,

A prisoner and jailor with the key in one.


You're my nicotine, my beautiful addiction,

Always there morning, noon and night.

You're my loyal friend and trusted confidant,

And source of information to entertainment.


I can lose myself in the worlds you created, 

Allowing me to forget about all my troubles. 

I can be reborn as anyone I choose to be, 

With the freedom to do anything I want.


You're my nicotine, my beautiful addiction,

Always there morning, noon and night.

You're my loyal friend and trusted confidant,

And source of information to entertainment.


I know you will never leave me like they did,

But I really should look beyond these walls.

Unlock the door to where it all can come alive,

And set all my senses free and soul awaken.


You're my nicotine, my beautiful addiction,

Always there morning, noon and night.

You're my loyal friend and trusted confidant,

And source of information to entertainment.


I don't know what to do or where to go first,

My beautiful addiction.

Maybe five more minutes for you'll show me,

My beautiful addiction.


© Fi S. J. Brown

There’s an app for that

Today if we want to learn how to do something we go to a site like YouTube to learn by video or we use an app on our phone/tablet to do it for us. More and more we let an app do something for us, rather than working out or learning how it is done, as quite often quicker and easier than spending time, or so we argue, learning how is not important. Yet our parents and grandparents would, if they were lucky, go to a library and borrow a book to learn how to do something but many more would learn from their parents or grandparents directly or indirectly.

It is as though in many ways we are now reliant on technology to think for us, not question and wonder for ourselves for there are other things we would rather do than study. Yet at the same time we complain of a boredom our ancestors would never have understood, with so much now possible we find it hard to find something to do…is that not a contradiction? Is it because we have become so reliant on machines for us, that some cannot think for themselves? It seems as though some almost need the machine or app to tell them exactly what to do, when and how!

So what can we do? As for some being without the internet and/or mobile phone is although missing something or no longer part of modern life. Those that choose not to have social media are thought of as strange, as the cynics believe they must have something to hide or even anti-social! I have considered doing this myself countless times but decided to keep for sharing creativity such as music, art, photography and writing. So much of our lives based upon the screen that conversation in person seems so strange to some, but with an alcoholic drink it’s ok!

Does technology improve our lives, is in now ruling or even ruining our lives? Stopping to think about what makes us human, all we can do with our many senses and our capacity to learn new things from scratch. Yet now it seems like we are sleepwalking backwards by relying on something else doing things for us and thinking for us so we can get on with something perceived to be more “fun”. In many respects the robots of science fiction are here but are not the humanoid droids we thought they would be. Machines taking over, is it really so far fetched?

© Fi S. J. Brown

Comfort and joy

Tills and bells ring to the tune of the festive season, mimicking the sound of Santa Claus’ sleigh on that night that make young and old rejoice. Yet every night in the sky the stars ring out but few stop to listen to them toll, as grown deaf to their gentle chimes. They bring comfort and joy wherever they ring, but many would rather the sound of a new iPhone 6 held in their hands.

Do not let the ransom notes of the advertisements tease and torment the soul, and fill it with nothing but greed and envy instead of glowing from inside out like the moon. A gift does not have to be bought to show the sounds of our heart when the recipient is near, for it echoes in our words and actions every day; feeling the most precious gifts of all – love, peace, hope and light.

© Fi S. J. Brown