Shortcut Poem by Shirley Harrison

A sensory system with a power supply

a computer for brain

it can simply be switched

on and off



blood doesn't flow through veins

just staring into nothingness

without any thoughts whatsoever

behind eyes, the soul of computer

tangled in wires and circuits

yet genius



peaceful, restful

she cannot feel grief

nor the daily disappointment that I myself have to embrace

she could never feel her broken heart



an enormous part of me

wishes I was her

and as I watch her I tremble

because

I am convinced her robotic heart

wants so desperately to beat

If just for a moment

to feel any slight emotion

at least...

that's what I imagine.