Ryan Costella's Substack
Ryan Costella's Substack
Devour
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-4:04

Devour

From my original poetry collection “Democracy Suicide.”

Just
one
more
bite.

Sugar, soda, grease, fries
double, triple, super-sized
waist expands
hard to move
my exercise
inhaling food!

Open wide
shove it in
diet tomorrow will begin
blocked arteries heart disease
someone should fix obesity.

Just
one
more
byte.

Digital natives
from millennial soil
in the metaverse
become embroiled

all humans wanting
to belong
influence
but work from home.

Babies born
before they’re three
medicated with a screen
despite being wired to engage
prisoners in a digital cage.

Before we know it
they are teens
depressed from the bullying
which happens on a global stage
the black mirror of venomous hate.

Just
one
more
bite.

I eat I eat I eat I eat.
so much I can’t stand on my feet.
sugar, salt
can’t escape
de-energized,
disengaged.

I should rise, move,
and get outside
on this chair
I’m growing wide.

It’s harder than it seems, you see
gluttony breeds apathy.

Just
one
more
byte.

Facebook, Insta, Snap, and Chat
Youtube, Messenger, What is App?
Scrolling, posting, get more likes

Tik Tok tick tock

I’m addicted

more screen time!

I long for connection
I long for convening
I want to make a difference
I want my life to have meaning

yet I can’t stop eating
and I can’t stop retreating
from a life of activity
and my role in the citizenry.

I’m not enough.
I am inadequate.
If I had self-esteem
I surely would shatter it.

Apathy has taken hold
I struggle to relate
the darkness is my daytime
all I do is medicate.

My community needs me
I can’t find the energy
to show up and engage
with my neighbors and family.

So many friends
my community.

We stare and share
through the glare
of a screen.

Online and running wild
ever since I was a child
what is real; what is fake?
I never learned: I am fresh bait.

Socials made a first impression
dependence developed deep depression
manipulated my brain to need
refuge in virtual reality.

No worry for my mental health
as long as I’m creating wealth
for those really smart designers
and the savvy advertisers.

In the mirror I’m surprised
what I don’t recognize.
Eyes familiar, ears, and nose
but that stomach!
Where’s my throat?

When did this happen – overnight?
Pound by pound, bite by byte.
Progress and prosperity
not capitalism
but the sin of Greed.

Blind consumption without a thought
now depressed and distraught
failed to choose when I was free
to use my gifts and energy
for freedom and humanity.

DEMOCRACY SUICIDE © 2024 RYAN COSTELLA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Photo Credit: Britten Traughber

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