"LOVE IS A VIRTUAL REALITY"

Love is more than a word.

Love is a feeling that cannot be heard.

It is a smile that lights up the face.

It is a warmth that fills the space.

Love is more than a kiss.

It is touch that sparks the fire.

It is a passion that fuels desire.

Love is more than a gift.

It is a gesture that can lift.

It is a surprise that makes the day.

It is a thought that shows the way.

Love is more than a dream.

It is a reality that can be seen.

It is a bond that lasts forever.

It is a treasure that cannot be measured.

Love is more than a word.

It is the most beautiful thing in the world.

Once upon a midnight dreary

Stood a girl; alone and weary.

She suffered pain.

None knows from where she came.

She stands alone just the same.

You look into my eyes,

I look into your eyes,

What's behind baby blue lies?

You found out it's true,

I know.

Please baby, don't make me blue.

Caress me in your arms.

Baby, I'll thrill you with my charms.

You are mine; we are one.

Baby, understand you're the only one,

I know.

Please stay, don't go away.

Oh, please stay over today.

Oh baby, don't go.

I'll never let you go.

I love you; don't you know?

You look into my eyes.

I look into your eyes.

What's behind baby blue lies?

You found out it's true,

I know.

Please baby, don't make me blue.

I woke up this morning,

The clock ticking,

The birds singing.

The sun shone through the window shades.

I thought to myself,

As I felt free

Like my birds singing.

You were not here

To wake up with me,

To complain about the neighbors,

To complain at me,

To bitch at me.

To tell me what to do

With my life.

I was me again.

I was a real woman.

I realized now you were not here,

To gripe, to complain.

So, why should I not laugh?

As we go through life

We meet many people.

We have many lovers.

We walk, that walk.

We talk, that talk.

We now communicate through the internet highway,

Of our peers,

On social media.

We should always be here.

We will continue to open doors and windows

On the internet of life,

To throw virtual kisses, say I love you too.

A person hiding behind the steering wheel

On the internet freeway.

Then we have quick video chats, no voice recording.

Is this really you or AI?

Now we long to touch, caress and all that romantic stuff.

So, we send gifs of strangers hugging,

Laying in the bed,

So easy to bluff.

Your facial expressions fade into the hugs

Of strangers on the internet highway.

You are here today, gone tomorrow into

The abyss of virtual reality of night and day.

We fade into the shadows

As both of us send virtual hearts, kisses, and hugs,

Make love writing porn across the oceans of

The internet byways and highways,

We lay down pretending to be with other,

Dreaming of you and me fading into the

Virtual freeway of AI.

What is love?

What is caring?

I want to meet you, hug you, kiss you,

But we are conforming to the virtual byways,

Of the roads we travel on the internet highway.

So, now you say your management says you cannot make any more

video calls.

Wait, now you tell me you want me to send you $500 for a fan card,

"Oh, hell no."

So, I block another virtual whomever on the internet freeway

And byways of

Streaming music, movies, art, shopping.

Let's laugh again.

So much easier to block on the internet

Than to block the random strange men hitting up on me in a bar

Years ago, back in the day,

Far away.

So, I accept this new online dating

Od trick or treat

In a world of virtual sun, moon, stars,

Not bars.

WRITTEN BY

VICKI LAWANA TRUSSELLI

OCTOBER 2023

LOS, ANGELES, CALIFORNIA