I left my iPhone behind today
and let my eyes take all the pictures
of the beautiful colours
of the coming sunrise in the clouds
the dancing crimson leaves
in the early dawn breeze
I left my iPhone behind today
and listened to the birds
sing their morning melodies
tuning out every noise
that blocked their song
I left my iPhone behind today
instead I took with me
a pencil and paper
and I wrote this poem
I left my iPhone behind today
and faced the world
naked of technology
just me
my senses
and my breath
Maybe I will forget it all
but right now
in this moment
I watch an orange sun
peek up above the poplar trees
and I do something
I can't do with my iPhone
I imagine
© Ruby Neumann
Poet's Note: This morning I wrote this poem, but this morning was not the first experience of leaving behind the phone for an embracing experience with nature. I am a memory hoarder. So I take pictures and videos to remember the beautiful moments. But what kind of illuminating experience do I have looking at photos of sunrises. Can they even begin to compete with the actual experience. So why do I take pictures of them. Does it enlighten another soul when they see those pictures. Maybe instead of the pictures, I need to pass along an invitation to seeing nature's beauty bloom in person. Maybe I do a disservice to another human being by providing pictures, when what they really need to fill their soul is a walk without the electronics.
