avatarJonathan Greene

Summary

The poem "Pick Me Up, Put Me Down" by Jonathan Greene reflects on the addictive and consuming relationship with technology, particularly smartphones, and the resulting disconnection from real life.

Abstract

The poem vividly portrays the obsessive cycle of constantly engaging with a smartphone, a habit that consumes an entire day without meaningful productivity. It highlights the irony of working hard at interacting with a device while not truly working towards something tangible. The relationship with the device is described as a sickness, one that is deeply intertwined with the user's life, casting a perpetual glow on their face. The poem suggests a one-sided affection, where the phone does not reciprocate the user's emotional investment. Ultimately, it calls for a conscious decision to disengage from the phone and re-engage with the vibrant experiences of life.

Opinions

  • The author implies a critical view of society's dependency on smartphones, suggesting it is an unhealthy obsession.
  • The poem conveys a sense of irony about the notion of being busy with a device while not actually accomplishing anything of substance.
  • There is a clear expression of the emotional disconnect that technology fosters, with the phone being indifferent to the user's needs.
  • The poem advocates for a deliberate break from technology to reconnect with life, suggesting that the relationship with devices is overshadowing meaningful human experiences.
  • The author seems to believe that this digital dependency is a widespread issue, affecting many in a similar manner.

Pick Me Up, Put Me Down

A Poem

Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash

Pick me up, put me down Over and over again Until that’s all you’ve done All day

Twenty four hours lost on a little screen while working hard but hardly working

Pick me up, put me down Pick me up again and again and again

It’s a sickness You and I Tethered to each other for eternity with that glow on your face

Pick me up, put me down You can’t stop and make every excuse so you don’t have to

It’s sad Our relationship So one-sided because I don’t Care about you the way you care about me

This time Put me down and leave me Alone while you look up and back into life

© Jonathan Greene 2019

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