People dislike technology yet 
behave like a computer 
running their own programs 
in the background while 
presenting a welcoming face 
that’s a hidden agenda 
a form of manipulation 
a Venus fly trap 
meant to lure and 
then snap quickly shut 
it’s a harrowing experience 
especially for the bee
or bug or person 
who simply is unaware 
buzzing about their business 
I avoid pretty things 
that look too good 
to be true for 
they are often too 
expensive or too fattening 
or frequently too deadly 

When they’re gone 
they really aren’t 
maybe from us 
not to us
it’s funny that 
memories never go 
to the same 
place they do 
wherever they go 
maybe then we’re 
all just a
little bit immortal
or maybe not 
if we never 
touched anyone here 
when we were 

Sitting here thinking 
under a tree
thinking about all 
of the things 
I have known 
and how few
meant anything really 
anymore than leaves
do to trees
except in Autumn 
when they’re gone 

I’m quiet now 
content with sunrise 
when the demons 
of the night 
scurry under bed
back in closets
and my mind 
once again free
when only slivers 
and seldom shards
of my nightmares 
return as broken 
hearts and mislaid 
promises and so
many other sins 
that haunt day

I look
for another 
to maybe 
but just 
like you 
maybe can’t 
so until 
I’ll keep 
my hand
over the 
hole that 
was made 
when you 
took my
heart with 
you along