Do you feel it?
The pulse beating in the side streets,
Haunting our TV screens,
Pounding in my head as I speak
Because there’s so much to do
I should write this down soon
I’m always short of precious time
Caffeine fueled, needing that American Dream, right?
One of my beloved elementary teachers told me
That Santa Clara used to be all trees
All fruit, all leaves,
All orchard, all around
Until the wildlife was severed from the ground
But not on purpose! that’s just the way it evolved
Besides, we need technology to solve
All the problems Mother Earth alone couldn’t.
Suddenly, the trees in rows
Fell as glass and metal buildings arose
The world interconnected,
Infected by life contained in glass screens
That too easily shatters, but still can’t hear the screams
When the words are just inhuman pixels
Instead of intimate, vulnerable whispers
The generations before me wanted to provide
More opportunities to enjoy a better life
So they built up a world that lives in phones
Where hearts reside instead of in homes
I’m told it should be easy
The world’s secrets are at my literal fingertips
So why can I not work faster? Live faster?
We are living at a faster rate
Repeating senseless cycles every day
Learning replaced by regurgitation of information
Weekends swallowed by work instead of vacation
I’m patient, but it’s wearing thin
As my browser cannot load
I’m so used to having everything one Google search away
I was beginning to think I was entitled to live through today
Until I read some bad news, but then put it away
Desensitized to pain in others’ lives
My parents didn’t raise me to be this way
So why am I desensitized, sleep-deprived
Dragged through days, can barely survive?
But thank you, Bay Area
I love the great weather and food you provide
Thank you Bay Area
You give so many people better lives
Thank you Bay Area
You have taught me that to compete and succeed
Are both worth achieving even as I bleed
Thank You Bay Area
Who knew you could run on four hours of sleep
Half of less than what I’m told I need?
Thank you Bay Area
I am now incapable of having fun
Because if I’m not productive,
I do not fulfill my purpose.
Thank you, Bay Area
I know I sound mad
And I guess I kind of am, but
You’ve given me so much
That I can never give back.
Do you feel it?
The drumbeat beating within your being
As you rush to class during passing period
That’s the heart of Silicon Valley—
Always pressed for precious time
Because you need that American Dream, right?