This reality
Waiting for views
Where the crash
Includes
Better numbers
Must narrate pain
Never noticed
As it weighs
Such grief
By machine –

Vindication
Failing on screen
In our breakdowns
Pushed
Like performance
But believed so real
After dreaming
Such mirrors
Show back
What we wish,

Or defend out loud
Being wrong
Proving smiles
Themselves
Very dangerous
When crying
Again
Needing reasons
Much other than truth
Seeming hard

For those unfair
In their stream
Leaving space
Between
Hidden privilege
On sponsored lives
Almost coded
Taking trips
With meaning
To sell

Over hurt
And comments below
All from profiting
Raw
Through engagement
Under lights
Near microphones hanging
Trading answers
Wrong
But designed.

• J. Pigno