Reach out your arms
touch
hold
embrace reality
smell the actual flowers
taste summer sweetness
in peaches
plums
berries ripe
on your tongue
this world all around is real
but there is
a virtual
a game
an artificial
intelligence
flower
pumpkin
plastic waiting in the wings
touch the fibers
of baskets made from reeds
of shells
twined into necklaces
hear
the sounds of real birds
chirping a morning call
not an alarm
phone
Instagram feed
there is power
in community, sharing
seeing flowers
grown across the country
gives me hope
seeing
herbs being harvested
nature beauty, birds
from afar
gives me joy
but temper
the artificial
the virtual
the digital
the recorded
sounds from far away
with the real
embrace your reality
the one before your eyes
under your feet
at the tips of
your fingers
sound waves that travel
to your ears alone
remember
the real
amidst your dreams
imagination
virtual, visual, digital
for how we thrive
is by
embracing reality
hear my words
directly from me
and feel your own body
wise
growing
loving
the space around you
feet planted
as the trees
now harvesting apples
lemons
let the real in
fog droplets
rays of sun
wind from the ocean
birds in flocks
v formations in the sky
pelicans diving for fish
just watch
and know
it’s real
it’s now
and it’s your reality
put down the phone
walk outside
and you will see
no need to capture
to record
to share
except with the
one standing next to you
holding your hand
reaching over for a hug
embrace reality.