Victory Over Myself
Poetry by Joseph Kerschbaum
Songs from nonexistent birds loop forever overhead. Foliage relentlessly manicured into the picturesque version of tree-lined streets as clean as surgical tables. Outside the Main Street Bakery in Liberty Square, the air is thick with a strategically placed scent. The aroma conjures the perfect bundt cake and triggers a shallow hunger that must be satiated with fat and sugar. A princess's regal, melodious voice proves that fantasy can materialize in the flesh as she shepherds me with her customized script to the register.
This magic wristband, cool against my skin, monitors my location and interactions, analyzing my biometrics with quiet precision. An algorithm predicts my desires before they flourish in my consciousness. Machine learning determines the next best experience to maximize my happiness quotient. Every square foot of the kingdom, optimized to manipulate my behavior, overstimulates my senses into a dizzy euphoria. Never have I felt more seen, watched, and analyzed. It almost feels warm, like love. Most days, I could disappear from the world without a blip, and I’ve thought about it.
Sitting in the Liberty Tree Cafe, my resistance to the happiest place on earth evaporates as I sip a Dole Whip. A shrill trumpet, splitting the humid afternoon air, signals the start of a parade down the cobblestone of Main Street USA. When did my hands start clapping? Our favorite characters are so happy forever, their joyous expression never changes. A smile slides across my face at the sight of the dancing squirrels. They have been part of me for as long as I can remember. Camouflaged speakers absorb into the branches. The birds are breathtaking, even if they are not there. Everything is all right. I have won the victory over myself. I love the mouse.
Joseph Kerschbaum’s most recent publications include Midnight Sunrise (Main Street Rag Press, 2024) and Mirror Box (Main St Rag Press, 2020). His recent work has appeared in Reunion: The Dallas Review, Hamilton Stone Review, The Inflectionist Review. Joseph lives in Bloomington, Indiana with his family.
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