Listening with a rictus grin
Feeling like a mannequin
I worry about robot dogs
Less than I worry about robot me.
Words buzzing around my head
They tickle when they land
I don’t respond
Because I don’t agree.
I smile and nod and smile and nod
Like a custom bobblehead
Made to look like me.
Seconds pass, turning to hours, and days and years
Tick Tock
I don’t want to be who I’m becoming
I don’t know how to stop.
I launch forth filaments
Hoping they will catch
But everything is pixelated
The emptiness complete.
On the street
People see my robot smile
And know something isn’t right.
I forgot how to human
I don’t know how to cat.
The cracks are showing.
Every day I ask, is it worth it?
Is today the day?
Every day I pray it is,
And every day I hesitate.
The greatest fear is that it never comes
And I end
Not with a bang
Not even a whimper
But with the grinding of gears
And rust.
(Image created using DreamStudio.)
This is amazing. It's how I feel every day at work, and sometimes, in my life, when I go about doing the same stuff, every day. I would've reacted sooner, but my bathroom sub floor needed to be replaced ASAP. I love the illustration, too. The redhead looks like she has a wonky eye and is sort of tightly wound. Very much adds to the whole piece. Your poetry is incredible in it's illustrative descriptions. Hope I worded that right! Anyway, take care, Gab