Attention Deficit Disorder Poem by gershon hepner

If you’re accustomed to a constant ream
of cyberinformation, you’ll be bored
when digitally you’re deprived. Your stream
of consciousness won’t be restored
until you’re reconnected to the web
and to your e-mail correspondents, whose
departure made your inspiration ebb.
Addiction like this is far worse than booze
or drugs, because it very often wrecks
the brain it hijacks, virtually acquired
attention deficit disorder. Sex
can do this, too, to people who aren’t wired,
and choice between addictions may depend
on whether you prefer to be the suitor
of someone with the virtues of a friend,
or someone virtual, screened by your computer.


(4/22/07)