Poetry Contest 500 Words

So, there is a contest that I am entering. The requirement is 500 words of writing or poetry. About any topic, I assume. How long is 500 words anyway? My original thought was to submit my theory on personalities. I think that post is way too long. Plus, I gotta say: that is still a work in progress. My next idea was to talk about cell phone plans. But, that is kinda boring. So, I have decided to talk about harassment and bullying. I haven't refined the synopsis of that topic yet. How would you drill down to the main points in just 500 words? I could talk about bullying for hours! I will work on it and get back to you. For now, here are some thoughts on cell phones...

Many people seem to be of the opinion that these devices that we wake up to every morning and say goodnight to every night should be free. The device that we text, email, stream, and call on should be free. The device that sometimes feels like our lifeline, our contact with the outside world, our way to reach friends and family, and a way to keep in touch with loved ones across the world. All free?

Well, perhaps a new view is needed of these essential services. Of course, we use these devices for fun things too. Playing games, watching videos, even taking pictures of ourselves. That does not make it any less essential for the things we should be using our phones for: to call our moms! If we imagine that when we move to a new house, we would have to set up a mortgage, property tax, hydro, and gas accounts. We probably have no problem paying for internet, maybe even a home phone line and security system. So, if we take those all as necessities for living, why wouldn't we lump our cell phones into that category? Sure, there might have been a time when our Motorola flip phones were being given away like candy! However, we know we are not living the good 'ol days anymore when people walk into a electronics store and buy an iPhone 12 Pro Max at full sticker price without a second thought.

Perhaps, sticker price is the key here. The thought just crossed my mind that perhaps people think of buying cell phones like they do cars. We know that cars are expensive, but no one pays the full retail value!! Do they...? The question I sometimes get asked is, "You can get me the iPhone 12 Pro Max for free, right?" Uhm, it's the same price that everyone else pays, my friend!

We should also note that when paying for essential services we do not question the installation fee. When we install our internet, when the gas company comes to flick on the switch to heat our home, when the home security guy shows up to make us feel safer on those nights where the wind is howling and there are knocks on the side of the house, do we question the service fee? Then, why do we complain when it costs money to have someone find the right phone, based on our needs, likes, and past devices? Perhaps a whole revamp of the definition of essential services is needed so that we can realize that a cell phone is not something that can just be discounted because we put on a smile today. Our utilities provider wouldn't care, so why would our phone provider?