ticking, not beating
efficient and precise
it loves, hurts, falls ill
nothing lacks for this robotic replacement

but what I cherish
is the dull drone at night
the sound of a heart in standby
it sleeps so that I can sleep
let it burst with sharp pain
but never suffer the long, dull ache

nights like these
crawling, frustrating, longing nights
turn the dial to standby
hibernate through the winter of cold insecurity

go to sleep, my automaton
go to sleep, my heart
sing me that steady, whirring lullaby