Like
I used to like the word, like,
For it was positive in tone.
Not over blown or flowery,
A “thumb up,” while on the phone.
Just a little ambiguous,
Preceding love's scary line,
Before taking that big step,
“I like you,” was just fine.
Or providing a similar situation,
Preposition to a similie,
To clarify a point.
Today, I hear like way too much,
It grates upon my ears.
A new kind of double speak,
From exchanges with peers.
The only way to stop it,
Is to let it burn itself out,
Like, you know, you know, before,
Of that I have no doubt.
Young People Sharing Conversation Ron AI
While watching brilliant young students at
Stanford in an English class expressing how
they use AI to help them with their writing,
I was appalled to hear them using the word, like,
constantly after nearly every few words they spoke.
eMail Me
More Poems
My Place
Copyright 2026 © Ronald W. Hull
9/17/26
It's in the Water and Other Stories
American Mole: The Vespers
