In this episode of Cowboy Cantos, Jason takes us on a poetic ride through time, from the days of wall-mounted phones and party lines to the bewildering world of talking tiles and tech that tracks your every step. With humor, heart, and a healthy dose of cowboy grit, Jason reflects on what we’ve gained and what we’ve lost when we traded cords for swipes.
The Wall Phone Was Enough
From Clickety-Clack to Cold Glass
I grew up with a phone hangin’ right on the wall,It rang like a bell, and that was its all.No screen, no apps, no voice that talked back—Just a cord and a dial and a clickety-clack.
If you wanted to chat, you stood by the sink,And if someone was listenin’, you’d give ’em a wink.It never got lost, it never got wet,And it never once gave me a worry or fret.
But times, they do change, and folks got to push,So I saddled my truck and drove into the bush—Well, the strip mall, I mean, with its neon and glass,Where the clerks wear polos and talk mighty fast.
I said, “I need a phone, one that’s smart.”He grinned like a fox and said, “Well, bless your heart.”He handed me somethin’ that looked like a tile—No buttons, no cord, and riddled with style.
I held it up like a prize from the fair,It buzzed in my hand and I knew it was there.“Hello,” it said, “I’m Siri, your guide.”I nearly dropped it and stepped to the side.
I asked it the weather and it showed me a map,Then told me my heart rate and when I should nap.It tracked my steps, it judged my tone,It even reminded me to call back home.
I tried to make sense of the icons and swipes,But it felt like I’d wandered into city folk types.I missed the old ring and the click of the line,When a phone was a phone and the world was just fine.
Still, I reckon I’ll keep it, at least for a spell.It’s handy for maps and it texts pretty well.But if it ever tries to coach me on my old cowboy ways,That will sure be the end of its tech-savvy days.
