texting stupor

My last post was a poem I submitted last week, and this week I had to get feedback from a classmate and revise it. Here's what I came up with:

“I was texting, so I was happy,”

         I heard her say,

Oblivious of the people she had just ignored.

Homework might not be done;

Books haven’t been opened and pages remain unwritten.

Friends interrupt—texting distractions.

Study break, she says, and tries to pretend

Finals aren’t around the corner.

Buzz: roommate has a question

Buzz: sister sharing a picture

Thumbs twitch.

Message. Reply. Answer.

Buzz: friend creating drama

Sending texts while she talks,

Under the table, as if that makes a difference.

New text—silent conversation.

Attention devoted, this is her normal;

Living in a world where only her phone matters.

I’m talking to her and she looks past me;

Checking her phone.

If I text her will she listen?