Turn Off the Television

Most people like to watch t.v.
As they sit in their easy chair.
Me, I prefer to read a book
Rather than sit and stare
At the mindless chatter
On some flat screen
Across the living room
Where we see an interpretation
Of someone else's thoughts
In a somewhat voyeuristic manner
Instead of allowing our own
Imagination to create the images.

A book stimulates your mind
To think of that contained
In the written word you hold
Yet gives freedom to build
From that which is seen
In the deep recesses
Of the gray matter
Between your ears
Whereas the flat screen
Across the room allows
Little space for linking
Thoughts as you merely
Record the scenes before you.

Let my thoughts wander;
Set them free;
Give rein to imagination;
Turn off the television;
Pick up a book
And travel to distant places
Where rest and solitude
Are filled with adventure
And the cares of the world
Fade away.