The Pocket-Sized Casino
A Poem for the Scrolling Soul
A chime, a buzz, a flash of light,
A lure that cuts throughout the night.
It's not a call, it's not a text,
It's just the algorithm's flex.
You pull it out with hopeful hands,
To see what luck the scroll commands.
A spin, a swipe, a flicking thumb,
For what new prize might finally come.
A laugh, a like, a bit of news,
A hit of views you didn't lose.
The dopamine, a sudden rush,
That leaves your mind in waiting hush.
The screen refreshes, blank and bare,
You pull the lever, waiting there.
For one more hit, one more surprise,
Behind the screen's hypnotic eyes.
The world around begins to fade,
A real-life price is being paid.
A conversation, left to die,
Beneath a bright and lonely sky.
You check again, it's just the same,
In this unwinnable, sad game.
The house always wins, don't you see?
The house is your anxiety.
So drop the coin, break the trance,
And give your tired mind a chance.
The greatest jackpot you can win,
Is the quiet peace that waits within.
About the Creator
The 9x Fawdi
Dark Science Of Society — welcome to The 9x Fawdi’s world.
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Why Black History Matters in America?
The United States of America is celebrating their 250th anniversary in 2026. I'm proud to be an American and as someone who was born here, I wouldn't imagine myself living anywhere else. This is a country where opportunities are possible. Where anyone can be successful in anything they desire to do. Equality, community, and togetherness are the backbones of what America is and should be about. However, we have an administration who wants to erase and disregard those who have made positive, meaningful impacts in our country, specifically Black figures, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou. President Trump and his administration have been constantly complaining and fighting against what they call the "Woke agenda". They use this excuse as a distraction from other issues they refuse to address, such as the high cost of living, climate change, and inflation. That equality is dividing America, when in reality, it's bringing us together. Being woke is not tied to a specific political party. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, you can still care about other people and their plights. Compassion and empathy for others isn't tied to a political party, either. We were taught as children to treat others the way we want to be treated and not judge others because they're different from us. Caring about others isn't a personal attack on your beliefs. It doesn't make you any less of a person. People who are easily offended over African American figures, past or present, or anything related to it, are grasping at straws. Current and future generations need to know who people like Harriet Tubman and Shirley Chisholm were, especially in the classroom. Black History is part of American History. It should be recognized, not hidden or forgotten. Besides, you can't shield children from everything, just because your feelings are easily hurt.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 6 days ago in The Swamp
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