Mafune
Donny Winter
from Feats of Alchemy, Alien Buddha Press, 2021
The bystanders gazed un-phased
as an accident ripped me away,
while the bully, bold with brawn,
exacted revenge in his own way.
One became many, and everything they’d say
would tear through this body, then ricochet,
bounce between these ribs until they’d puncture
inside, immobilized like prey.
Some would pity me, some would pray
until the cliques thought me a stray,
so, they’d rebuild these damaged goods,
listen to every word, then relay.
They’d compliment to fill these gaps with clay
when machines should be soldered with no delay,
and they’d use me to raise their monsters from slumbers,
control them, and let them invade.
Finally, when filled with dismay,
they’d see the error of their ways,
but it’s too late for we cyborgs forged to fit in
because inside, we fade in radioactive decay.
