Poem 335 – Helpless

In the corner of my eye
the phone flashes
urgently. But why?
Why are they calling?
I can’t answer now,
they know I’m at work.

But why are they calling?
Has something happened?
Is that why they’re
calling? A thousand
permutations present themselves
but I still can’t answer.

I’ll have to get someone
else to answer
while I press on
with the task in hand.
I pretend to work,
time on hold.

I was in the middle of leading a song at church when I spotted my phone was ringing… It turns out there had been an accident at home, but thankfully, all was ok in the end.
(27.10.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Oliur on Unsplash

Poem 249 – Dedicated

My to-do list is ready,
tasks hungry to be ticked,
I’m waiting for the gun.

Today I will be productive
and focus on the job –
no time for mindless scrolling.

I turn off notifications,
say no to interruptions
and put aside my phone.

But before I start
I’d better check
just one more time…

Is it procrastination, lack of discipline or dopamine release trigger by mobile alerts? Whatever it is, I’m guilty like so many of us by being distracted by the lure of one more look…
(02.08.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash