machines

The jaws clamp down on my leg. 

Tight, flesh-ripping sensation

As I am thrown about

As if I am a toy, nothing but a plaything

For those higher.

Higher.
Better.

Stronger

Weak. 

I stare back at the floor.

The droplets land on the floor

They have one purpose 

They do it well

The cell I remain in has one

The bed, the walls, the people,

The things I can’t see.

All finely tuned

A machine in which I cannot fit into.

A dented cog, a bent screw. 

Useless.

The machine is perfect

Everything placed properly 

A marvel of engineering

I’m a marvel of defectiveness 

The “Thing not even a fool would want”

Yet they shove me in.

Trying, begging for me to become useful

“WORK!” They scream

And then silence.

The machine is a pointless facade

The mechanics and engineers smile.

A shattering, grotesque smile.

They know of our failures 

They know we'll all inevitably break

Yet they try anyway.

My gear is bent up and destroyed

Years and years of toiling 

Ruined.

Failed.
Failure.

You come from ashes 

You will return to ashes

Sometimes I wish I could burn

Melt.

Nothing left. 

Only the remains of flaming metal.

Perhaps they’d make me into something useful again

A fine machine, a fitting cog.

Nothing more than perfection.

Maybe then I’d please someone.

I’d please the mechanics.

The engineers.

I’d finally be what they want.

But what can you make out of ashes?

All that will remain of me. 

The smoke of a person

The shrapnel from a broken bullet

Nothing but scraps.

Scraps feasted on by insects, animals

Nothing but scraps.

Scraps pulled apart by the gluttonous 

Nothing but scraps.

Nothing but me.

Me and the ground

The cold hard ground

I feel the frigid sensation

Crawling up my arms.

Coolant.

Oil.

Grease. 

Grime.

I’m cold and filthy.

Like any dirty creature would be.

Food.

Food for this machine

Not even a part of it anymore

But I still am.

That’s what they tell me.

I long for that feeling.

The feeling of belonging

They have disconnected me

I am worthless now

They try to tell me I’m still functional

I know their lies.