The News On Tv Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

what exactly is the news on tv

where does it lead

you in your own life can feel things for yourself

can know things

can see, for instance, if the reporter knows anything at all

about life itself or earnest questions or is

only playing the game to keep his job

or is only there because he or she

has no where else to be

what is the news

is it something you would tell a friend

an enemy, your dog

is it something that crowns your understanding with more light

turn it off rather. turn it off forever.

pray. look out the window. read a book.

cry. laugh. think eternal thoughts. or whimsical ones.

think of where you've been

who isnt here anymore

how time unfurls itself

and has nothing at all to do with the news

babbling on and on. in rare cases

meaning anything at all.

mary angela douglas 18 january 2023