Don't lose sight of the People

As the holidays approach and the gadget commercials and the want-its get more strenuous, two poems that look to the uniqueness of being a person.

Competition

I like to see the eyes of my opponent

I like them to know I’m there
I like it when I watch the hope
Of victory fade from their eyes

I like to see the triumph played out

And the agony of defeat
I like to watch the satisfaction
Of a victory well-won

No vindictiveness, no taunting

No “trash-talking”, no “head games”
Play hard, play to win
But remember, it’s only a game

For the fun is in playing well

And the fun is in the challenge
The fun is in a worthy opponent
And in learning a new stratagem

Smile and laugh and do your best

Come back and play again
Life’s too short to hassle on it
But I want to see you play.

Hurry

I see them hurry, hurry, hurry,

To get the newest Things;
Keeping to the Cutting Edge.
When they pull out the Newest
Everyone else will gawk and ooh
Attention then surely gathers
But it is all about the Thing.
What do I know about Them,
And what do they know of I?
Take away the gadgets; try.
‘Cause when the Thing’s the Thing
As Asimov and Clarke had writ
Look over your shoulder, son,
Humanity’s lost a bit.
Take away my gadgets,
Look deep into my core,
Find out who I am, sir,
Invest some time, explore
The things that make us us
Without the bells and whistles
Surely you will find, my friend,
Amid the warts and thistles,
A much more interesting whole
A person, unique in all the world.
So find the time to strip away
These modern day designs
Spend some old-fashioned time
To find out who is Who.
Never let the Things take over;
Always keep control
By knowing what is human, man,
By knowing how I roll.