Cypress Branches Literary Journal - Lamar State College-Orange
Cypress Branches Literary Journal - Lamar State College-Orange
Cypress Branches Literary Journal - Lamar State College-Orange
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21<br />
Prose – First Place<br />
Powering Down<br />
Ashley Dougherty<br />
Here I am, a simple thing, a complex machine. See my buttons? My shiny keys? We talk for<br />
hours, even if I’m only indirect in the conversation. That’s fine; I’ll convey what you say. Over miles<br />
I’ll whisper your every outward notion. What’s that? I’m not your first? That’s all right, because you<br />
love me; I love you.<br />
It’s been a year. Do you love me? We go everywhere. I’m cradled in your hand or even in your<br />
purse. Yes, I’m so small. Aren’t I efficient? Do you like the custom wallpaper on my screen? Of course<br />
you do because you love me. You need me. You can’t leave the house without me. I love you too.<br />
Whisper with your thumbs, and we’ll send a message across seas.<br />
It’s been two years. Do you love me? I don’t feel so well… You have to treat me more gingerly.<br />
Don’t get angry, I’m sure the signal is just over there. Don’t leave me at home. Don’t you love me? Is it<br />
because I’m not holding my charge like I used to? I’m trying. Maybe a new battery will help. Is it<br />
because my screen has tiny scratches? It’s not my fault. Don’t you love me? I love you.<br />
Battery Low.<br />
Help me; I’m dying. I’m flashing and screaming. Can you see me? Can you hear me? Do you<br />
care? No, don’t put me on silent! I’m scared! Lying on the couch shaking with fear, I’m scared. Don’t<br />
let me die. Where’s the charger? Where have you gone? I need your help! Don’t let me die. I’m falling<br />
between the cushions. Help me! Hello? Don’t you love me?<br />
You can’t see me flashing, and honestly it doesn’t look like you’re looking for me anymore. I<br />
guess it’s because I’m missing two keys. It’s not my fault I’m not shiny. I miss you. Won’t you find me?<br />
I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die! The bell tolls, and you rush to the front door.<br />
I’m not over there. Please look between the cushions. Don’t you love me anymore?<br />
You receive a package. I don’t know what to make of it. You’re really excited. Is it a new<br />
charger? A new battery? You didn’t forget me after all! You make your way to the couch and sit down.<br />
My heart falls when I see someone else in your hand. He has a touch screen and a camera function. He<br />
slides open and greets you with fancy tunes. I can’t compete with that… but still….<br />
How could you?<br />
You read the book, and it isn’t long before you’re whispering to him instead of me. I feel our ties<br />
disconnect, and my bars disappear. As I search for signal, the agony is draining my power faster.<br />
Perhaps it’s better because I don’t know how much of this I can handle. I can’t stop trembling; my wires<br />
are quaking down to the core. My heart is broken. I can’t go on anymore. I wasn’t your first; I see I’m<br />
not your last. I guess I’ll die now. You won’t miss me. You don’t need me. You don’t love me.<br />
I love you.<br />
Powering down.<br />
21