An evening by the fire

An Evening by the fire - or - watch TV.

We would retire to that comfy chair, by the fire side,

A small table to the side to hold a tankard of the finest ale,

Watch the flickering flames,

Making patterns,

 

A dragons breath, in red and yellow,

Smoke up the chimney stack,

Prayers to heaven, messages,

To long lost friends,

 

Our wishes past along,

Imagination, working hard,

Memories recalled,

Revelling in the warming glow,

 

Praps,

Reading a book,

Doing home work, at the table,

After clearing away the diner pots,

 

Now.

 

Our meal on a tray,

Balanced on knees,

The comfy chair, and small table are still in place,

The fire replaced by the 'Telly Box',

 

Coloured pictures,

Flickering,

From around the world

A story they tell,

 

From Down the street,

An ongoing story,

Imagination? None required,

They tell it all,

 

 

Who are these people in the box,

How did they get there,

Are they from Lilliput?

Brought to us,

 

By Johnathon Swift,

The little people,

Who worked the harbourside,

In Whitehaven,

 

All those many years gone by,

Working, Unseen,

Are they,

Now resident, in that; 'Telly Box'?

 

Commercial break,

Advert,

To you,

Make a drink,

 

Well it's on every day,

Soap Powder, hair/ body spray,

To add more to the environmental,

Destruction,

No fire to watch,

We have central heating,

Readiator panels on the walls,

Taking space, used for funiture,

Sideboards and the like, 

 

Is this progress?

Reviews

[Aura]

What has society become? Where the question is sit by the fireside or watch TV? When did families become so disconnected from each other? Is the evolution of technology bringing families together or tearing us apart... a great debate question if you ask me, but your poem clearly depicts how families used to spend their evenings in prayer, comforted by their loved ones but now only spending time away from their loved ones, in front of a TV etc. Thanks for sharing this pecs, and I am glad I came so I could read this truthful piece!

[Coyote Poetry]

It isn't my friend. I miss the old ways. Family dinners, quiet nights and some conversation. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Wild Rose]

Well, at least we have had the old relaxed ways to hark back to > fifty-nine years married in a months time.

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello my friend. 30 years for me and my wife.

[Betty Hermelee]

Where have the old days gone, sitting by the fir, watching it flicker, conversations about… but now we don’t converse a lot,we stare at the TV and nipped fires because now we have radioes for heat… memories of days gone by.
Best,B

[Wild Rose]

Thank you, Betty
I don't really know what spurred this
But I have been writing some historical stuff > circa 1800's > no electric, cars, railway are just being built.
Travelling between two counties - leaving a farm to open a woolen mill

[Betty Hermelee]

you’re very welcome
Best, B