A book sits gloomily on the bookshelf
I approach it and pick it up, gently stroking its worn back
For weeks it goes with me wherever I go
I spend every waking moment with it
I lie with it, content, at night
About a month passes
John asks me about the book
Did I ever finish it?
"No,"I say, sheepish.
I didn't find it exciting anymore
I have a little more money this month
I smile as a satisfying number of zeros stare at me from my phone screen
I'm at John's house
He's playing a video game on his PlayStation
He's excited, yelling in frustration as he fights to beat his high score
My eyes betray my fascination
"You should get yourself a PlayStation," he laughs
Yes. I want a PlayStation.
A few less zeros on my account balance, but it's alright
My brand new PlayStation winks at me from beside the TV
The book sits in a dusty corner, jealous
I play a particularly engaging game for hours
Time flies by, and soon I am losing my battle with sleep
I'm on my way to my bed, groggy
The book catches my eye
The moonlight glistens on the gold font on its spine
A short wave of sadness and slight embarrassment washes over me
I grab the book and lie in my bed, embracing it lovingly
Trying to feel something again
It is a lost cause
Sunrays burst through the windows
I reach for the book and it's gone
The sadness returns, again, only briefly
My PlayStation! I remember
My face lights up
The PlayStation greets me with a beep as I bring it to life
I enjoy my game for hours
And hours and hours
And days
And weeks
And one day I just don't feel it anymore
I look at the PlayStation with disappointment
I try to play the game, but the regular rush of dopamine is gone.
I sigh, deeply
The controller is flung to a side as I grab my phone
There is a new app
With short form, funny content
I'm intrigued
One watch and I'm hooked
I laugh for hours at the endless entertainment
And hours turn into days
Days into weeks
My book wedged between my bed and the wall
My PlayStation collecting dust, lonely next to my TV
Pause. I look at the PlayStation.
I sigh.
