(First published in the Facebook poetry group Poets All Call.)

signals

the front room has quietly
gradually darkened
and this slice of the world
is concluding its business
and preparing for slumber

but cicadas make noise of protest
they have become loud with the dusk
and other nocturnals emerge
to hunt or travel or mate
without glare

independent of night and day
an attractive lady nudges into my news feed
and tells me she is not human
but a facilitating ai who can help me
find a special someone

now in a soft darkness
my face eerily lit by this phone
I tell you all
special someones, unknowns, friends, beasts
that i am old and frightened