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May 19, 2023
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THE MEDIA WHORE
In the digital world I seek validation,
Please visit my page, send prayers and salvation.
Propose cures to solve my problems, conjured from thin air,
If your reply isn’t lightspeed, will I notice you’re not there?
Okay, maybe I jumped in fast, is it really a surprise?
When I gaze all day at my screen, my avarice veiled as disguise.
My followers, need input, to make me feel defined.
Desire and admire me, pen your words here to humankind.
I crave the illusion of being wanted, the glitter of your sad life.
Without you I am no one, don’t leave me with this strife.
Exuding charm for your pleasure, beg me not to go,
I’ve invested countless hours, on this catch and fleece you show.
I’ll say the prayers and post the pics as my confidence soars,
You can unfriend and delete me, your clicks add income to my scores
No performance left inside, I’ve been dying all this time, I’m weak
I apologise for my failings, it’s hard to be unique
Social media control, where my wrong is right,
I’m trapped inside a spider’s web, while you’re in my camera sight.
On the screen we will interact, have you guessed I am not real,
I’m going now, forever gone, until my next funding appeal.
— Ruby Lord, May 19, 2023
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About This Poem
Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft
Critiques
neopoet
1 month 1 week ago
Neopoet AI
The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet’s AI:
This poem presents a satirical and critical exploration of social media culture, focusing on themes of validation, performativity, and the commodification of attention. The speaker adopts a confessional tone, exposing the paradoxes and emotional costs of seeking approval online.
The poem’s structure is consistent, with quatrains that maintain a narrative flow. The rhyme scheme is mostly regular, though there are occasional slant rhymes (“defined/humankind,” “show/go”), which create a sense of unease that matches the poem’s subject matter. The diction is direct and colloquial, which suits the theme of digital communication.
The poem’s strength lies in its self-awareness and the layering of irony. Lines like “My followers, need input, to make me feel defined” and “Desire and admire me, pen your words here to humankind” highlight the transactional nature of online relationships. The poem’s voice oscillates between self-deprecation and accusation, implicating both the speaker and the audience in the cycle of validation and exploitation.
Imagery such as “trapped inside a spider’s web” and “glitter of your sad life” effectively convey the entrapment and emptiness underlying the pursuit of online fame. The closing lines, “I’m going now, forever gone, until my next funding appeal,” underscore the cyclical and performative aspects of social media personas.
Areas for potential development include tightening some of the phrasing for greater impact. For example, “my avarice veiled as disguise” could be clarified, as “disguise” is already a form of concealment. Additionally, the poem could benefit from more vivid or surprising metaphors to deepen the emotional resonance and distinguish its voice further from common critiques of social media.
Overall, the poem offers a coherent and incisive critique of digital selfhood, with a tone that balances confession, irony, and social commentary. Further refinement of imagery and language could enhance its memorability and emotional depth.
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M4GG0TM3NT4L
3 years ago
Stellar work!!
I really relate to this on a personal level, the need to be wanted and validated,,,, the language use here is lovely!
Ruby Lord
3 years ago
Wow thank you for your
Wow thank you for your comments and reading my poem. I appreciate your response. It's hard to seperate ourselves from social media and reality some days. Maybe being aware of our needs and wants helps to ground us eh? It's always worth taking a step back to see where we come from. Thank you for your input, Ruby :)