Screentime

[Edward]

Screentime
by Hayley DeRoche

You want to go viral
Want it so bad,
A slow drop of honey hovering above your tongue
You wait, saliva filling your mouth, eager
As you sit alone on the back porch
staring at an app someone created to tether you
A golden chain disguised as friendly algorithm
Somewhere inside a child shrieks with laughter and
you partner fills the house with
Bubbling lamb and red wine,
Sticky hands push open the door,
The scent billows out, oh heavenly blanket,
"Give me a minute."
A minute more will do it,
Will push you into the fame, the honey, the golden glow
Tongue outstretched,
A beggar's palm pleading for an alm,
A phantom taste
you are so sure
Is better than the feast behind the door