Behind the Screen

Our conversation lulls
for a moment too long,
and I feel awkward,
uncomfortable…
unsure what to say or do next.

So I pull out my phone.
By now it’s a reflexive defense.
I thumb through various screens
looking at nothing,
pretending to look at everything,
anything
besides the person I was talking to.

Bless the creator
of this technological savior
that I can use as a mask
when I’m faced with the prospect
of an awkward interaction.
I hide behind the screen.

If you enjoyed this poem, please head on over to Vocal media and like my poem there too! Through Vocal, I get paid per view, so if you view it and share it on whatever social media platforms you use, that would be fantastic. Thanks!