Thomas Quentin Sims (January 14,1978 / Laurel, Mississippi, USA)

the machines are talking to me again

i feel the push
the pull and I'm drawn back in

flashing lights, fake smiles,
bad advice, no more Now.

they want to touch you
and you just want to get away
they say that they love you
as they're spitting in your face

give them what they want
until you've had enough
it's not even you
it's just another front
something you put on
so even you can't tell
get your dollars up
try to buy what you sell

too late to give up in this game
thought you knew how to play
but then the rules lost with change

it all comes back to this:
where do you fall on that list?
you've gone and lost yourself
pleasure versus happiness

so afraid of you yourself
broken pieces, so few left
rearrange your every part
another guess at who you are

(2008, Laurel, MS)