Issue 17, April 1998
Ryan Gialames - Poem

microfine crystal gamma shroud upon my head
baptized in some wild new cola
strapped into my sleek new electric chair
wired into the satellite wafer above my church
my god whispers softly into my earphones
   that HE the maker warrants I his product  against any defective
workmanship or materials and
   will replace any defective product free of charge when returned to
the creator postage prepaid to
   the address stamped clearly on the soul
eyes begin to open though gas-permeable wonders
staring at my high definition stain glass window to the world
while other stare back in disgust at my sins
i need to be cleansed in their ultra violet love
hands and feet sore from needles prick
keep my energy efficient surveillance alert to any new ideas i am told
to have
i understand humanity now that i can hear the fiber optic cries of my
brothers
like sonic booms thrust though modems and microwaves
i too have a heart that beats like quarts crystal powered by a 3.5 volt
cell
when my synthetic life runs out
i will finally have my place in this shrink wrapped earth
securely held like sleep in mothers arms
dreaming in splendid video of dandelions and clouds
the alter will crumble leaving nothing but circuits and wires
as i crawl towards the great halogen light at the end of this air tight
tunnel