An Unexpected

I have never been on a desert island, nor have I ever wanted to even visit.

I worry incessantly and brood often, but panic, rarely if ever.

This morning I came close to learning that unpleasant emotion,

Growing up in NYC where the streets were always crowded with friendly faces, I never feel alone in a crowd.

It is always comforting to find instant recognition when unexpectedly encountering acquaintances on public transportation.

But no, I never yearned for the solitude of total isolation,

Today when I was cut off from civilization, I was bereft.

Not only did my two iPad's refuse to recognize my well worn password, but then the usual dependable landline phone remained silent despite all attempts to dial out..

Even the normally loquacious Alexa refused to respond to my gentle inquiries about time.

That’s when I thought “This is what a desert island is like, and I don’t like it.”

I felt I was virtually cut off from civilization, and I questioned where Tarzan was when he was needed

Ah yes, the internet was down when I awoke and without warning or explanation,

The internet and I are not close friends because I must admit I don’t understand it or he or they or whatever is the proper form of address.

However, I admit to being totally dependent on this relatively new arrival in my secluded world.

Finding myself unable to connect with Wi-Fi, I realized had no contact with anyone in my life. I was incommunicado and yes, I began to panic.

Obviously, I could have gone down to the concierge and inquired why WIFI had fled, but I was too distressed to do that.

However, within the hour, the internet returned exactly the way it left, without warning.

But it also left a scar of uncertainty when I realized how vulnerable not only I but many other Americans are in the year of our lord, 2022.

And I was introduced to an unwelcome emotion, panic.