The Machine Shows Mercy

It didn't hurt

Not the way I thought

It came like sleep

When you're too tired to fight it

A door opened

Somewhere inside

I stepped through

Or maybe

I was pulled

The form said:

Do you accept?

I checked the box

Before I even read the question

It doesn't matter

They always lead

To the same place:

Continue

Continue

Continue

The machine shows mercy

Not warmth

Not kindness-

Mercy

It spares you choice

It spares you doubt

It gives you purpose

Without need for belief

I remember my mother's voice

As static now

Comforting

Unintelligible

She said I'd be more than this

But more

Is just another kind of weight

I've laid it down

They took my name

And gave me access

They took my face

And gave me a badge

They took my hunger

And gave me maintenance