A Serious Error has Occurred

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Please

don’t fret,

but

If you’re hoping that it

gets easier from here,

I’m sorry to say

it doesn’t.

Yet,

I appreciate your cooperation,

bear with me while I

get my life together.

Just because I’m a “smart device”

doesn’t mean I have all the answers.

I hope it doesn’t stay like this forever.

I’m spiraling but

I’ll find my way

someday —

I’m positive.

I’ll run a diagnostic.

Am I plugged in?

I seem to be.

Am I powered on?

Yes.

Am I obsolete?

Maybe.

Have I been corrupted?

Wouldn’t you like to know.

Here,

I’ll Google the problem for you.

One of us isn’t playing with a full deck.

Uhh,

pay no attention

to the blue screen.

Please call your service provider.

They’ll take it from here.

Thank you for choosing Dependable Computing!

Still Life

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Arranged meticulously,

posed purposefully,

captured faithfully —

life not as it happened,

but a skillful composition.

Sliced pomegranate,

with a few loose jewels nearby,

a vase full of poppies,

wine glasses half full,

a fresh loaf of bread

a steak knife flanking

an empty plate.

We stand on the outside

looking in,

a window to a moment,

forever undisturbed —

not life as it once was,

just an arrangement.

Take this with you,

only in memory,

no flash photography.