My Resident Critic

My resident critic is beside me to say,

My time on computers, she thinks, is play.

She barks commands, "Mom, rise from your chair!"

The back yard, the outdoors, she'd rather be there.

She let's me know in terms uncertain,

"Turn off the 'puter, open the curtain,"

"There's life out there." She wiggles these words,

"Mom, let's take a walk, let's chase the birds!"

So, I turn off the switch and shut down the screen

And we head to the door. Goodbye life serene.

How can I resist my 8-inch-tall friend?

With a leash and a clip, we're off again.