Short-Circuit Poem by Shirley Harrison

A sensory system
with a complicated power supply
a computer for brain
it can simply be switched
on and off

blood doesn't flow through veins
staring into nothingness
without any thoughts whatsoever
behind eyes, just 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
her eyes unable to flow tears
her mind silent to all the ugliness

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

and If I'm really honest
I tremble, because
her artificial intelligence
and lack of feeling
just makes me feel so damn envious.