TV Back Then

To change the channels, long ago,

We got up off the couch

And turned the dial by leaning down

Or bending in a crouch.

 

The same applied to On and Off

Or Volume – the controls

Required that we move to fill

Our viewing pleasure goals.

 

Of course, we watched in black and white

On channels 2 and 4,

5, 7, 9, 11

Or 13 – there weren’t more.

 

At midnight all the screens went off

Except for static fuzz.

We didn’t think to be annoyed

For that was all there was.

 

Today, so many do not watch

Or have their own TV.

They stream on their devices

And there’s so much there to see.

 

At times I miss the old days, though –

The family gathered ‘round,

Demanding that the youngest move

To switch the show or sound.

 

That said, if you’re not old enough

To know of what I speak,

You’ll think you’re lucky that you missed

A TV so antique.