VIRTUAL GHOSTS

 

              

                                

                          

1.     We live like ghosts away from human touch

  Stark reality we scoff and hate

  As slow, not smart—a sluggish state;

  Our technology we boast so much

  In virtual world we wish to dwell

  Confined to computers, tabs and cells

  Like beasts cramped in impregnable cage

  We love to live in a complicated maze.

 

2.     Too lazy we are to use our bodies and move out

 We have become too static and stout

 Depending on machines to solve our doubts

 Our human relations slowly fade out

 We need not go to office, work and talk

 With others or go for a friendly walk

 Fast vehicles we have wherever we to go

 In this faster society we hate to be slow.

 

3.    Onslaught of gadgets made our work so swift and fast

We are too lazy to draft, count and write

Default-letters and mails made our work very light

Our writing skills and personal style we lost

Our fingers feel reluctant to pen our thoughts

The skill of calligraphy is a thing of past.

In writing, thoughts flow out from our heart

Our sensations respond with intimate touch a lot. 

 

4.    Our stamina disused lose vigor and will not be smart

 Bombarded by ready-made and go-easy ways

Our innate spirit and skills do they replace

Our instinctive talents in digital web caught

Our artists challenged by quick-machines a lot;

Our working style is perturbed and distraught;

By this fast-paced, fast, digital onslaught, a lot

With zillion bits of information vast.

 

5.  Surroundings shape our living, heart and mind

Depending ever on artificial machines;

Our response too turns mechanized and routine;

So dry and so shallow that others cannot find

The meaning and purpose of what we write or read;

We lose mutual trust and understanding indeed

The golden wand of inspiration we really lose

Our style becomes too dull, diffuse and loose.

 

6.   Technology made our world, a miraculous sphere

    Widened our perceptions and enhanced our powers;

    Created new hybrids, crops, creatures and flowers;

    Yet took away our peace and bred impending fears

    Of nuclear war, selfish nature and mistrust

    Enslave not your conscience to pleasure and lust

Let us put this God-given power to good use

Not for destruction, unrest and misuse. 

 

7.    Though made easy our work, these devices tear

Away our earning means and left men in despair

Our innate skills and talents shrink away and wear

To banish livelihood for gains is not just and fair;

If all your labors go in vain, how do you feel?

All your service ignored and thrown like a peel

How many lives driven away with least concern!

A bolt from the blue, a stunning tragic turn!

 

8.  Machines should not make us ciphers mere

   Without human feelings, progress sheer waste;

    A ruthless competition leads to greed and hate

    Don’t drudge like slaves without plan clear

    Use devices with due restraint and purpose

    Don’t lose your worth and values and become worse

    Don’t live like virtual ghosts and lifeless tools;

    Hone your own skills and live with righteous rules.

 

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    18th January 2025            Somaseshu Gutala