i always wondered where everyone
got their batteries from
until i realized i
was a wind up toy
not a battery operated one
my spine is an accordion
pushed down with
the weight of some musician
expanded by the same
my heart is a muscle
made of paper and charcoal
my lungs are memory foam
they remember what it's like
to breathe without you
my brain is an interpreter
for all the battery operated toys
i never got the hang of a second language
maybe because i had already learned one
my mouth wants to tell you things
sometimes i swear it wants to go solo
sometimes i swear i wish it would
tongue tied and teetering on an edge
of course the edge is only five feet
off the ground
i am still afraid to jump
for I've been fooled before
Hiya you can now view/purchase my visual art here!
About the Creator
River Joy
I make things with paint and words and light. I was once described as an asshole with Mr. Rodgers vibes.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Joyride
*** Content Warning: Although humorous, this is a ghost story. Contains descriptions of after-death experiences. The aged leather of the barely-padded seat felt welcoming and familiar, or at least it would have, if he had any feeling in his spectral buttocks. Phil sighed, or would have, if anything existed in his translucent chest to hold the air it would require. The memories of his senses would have to suffice. His cold, unfeeling hands curled lovingly around the cracked bakelite rim of the narrow steering wheel.
By Dana Crandell4 days ago in Horror
Comments (18)
Awesome ✨ No Periods ❤️
Something new love it the lines from "battery operated toy".
This is sublime! Love how it progresses and gets darker, sadder, and deeper. Congrats on Top Story! I am now subscribed and looking forward to reading more of your work!
very nice one!
Goodness, I loved so many of your phrases and word choices and formatting. Really beautiful work. Congratulations on Top Story!!
This is great. Congrats on the top story
Very playful and pining, nice job!
good one
Ohhh, so good. Great work, River! Enjoyed this very much!
Soooooo beautiful and relatable!
Love it
Oh wow. I had to read this twice, once in silence and once aloud, to fully appreciate the form of the words. Even so, I can't help but go back and read it again. Thank you for this. ❤️'d and subscribed :)
A magical metaphor. Thank you for sharing this.
Great write! Loved it! 💞
Thank you for sharing this peek into your workings. I am particularly struck by the motif of movement, and what it is like to feel propelled (or frozen) by external forces.
Why is this one haunting me right now? A very interesting take on inner resources and how we live... ;)
Outstanding and evocative, as usual. I love your poems, River. Congrats on a well-deserved Top Story!
Incredible work.