the flickering of the camera captures your smile
you hit send - upload complete.
the illumination from the screen frames your features
you've wiped away the facade you've created
in the form of facebook memories
and wall posts of positive mantra

such unnatural levels of light can drain your battery
so face to face, we dial the sliders down
but you disappear in the shadows, face down, thumb scrolls
i waited to see your smile, how the real thing could compete
with that perfectly composed image
instead, i was met with the buzzing of a notification
that killed the conversation between us.

the eyes are the windows to the soul
but with the barrier of the glass on a screen
it seems less an invitation and more of a breaking and entering
i would love nothing more than to tell you
that i like the thoughts that come from your mind
to hear them out loud from your lips
and to watch the natural glow that emits,
no flash or filter needed.

my disdain is not for the social platforms designed to connect
only for all of the things that we've left unsaid
while we turn our backs, and hit share instead.