Chatroom

In the early days
you stood on your bed
to catch the fading waves
of neighbor’s open wi-fi
& held your unsanctioned
homebrew Nintendo DS
aloft like a holy relic
to join your first chat.
Speaking with the world
is easier now, drifting
overwhelmed in input,
all the internet’s signal
& unceasing noise.
You try to avoid it
mostly now — but
it’s nostalgic to think
about phoneless days
when this was precious,
a rare & meaningful gift
to share with strangers.