The Night Watchman

Artemis stood defiant against the Singularity
not so as to oppose it
but to be looking into it
with courage
when it swept over him
a pulse of collective consciousness
like a dance floor beat
harvest moon lovers who sob at the coming red dawn
pianist fingers playing us out
junior explorers imploring lower cubs to collect samples
mining the miniverse
nanobot badge presented for outstanding vascular action

Artemis pressed his hand to the back of her head
sweetly
nothing's gonna hurt you, baby
electric touch rushed
but no electric kiss
she smiled like a happy corpse
slipped like a happy Christ into the crowd
concentric current of human souls
salient digital deviants
deviations
and all the holy algorithms

Artemis knew
love can't last forever
the Singularity will overtake it
he still couldn't help wanting to hold her hand
something about being a man is about being human
because if love be damned
then so be he

and maybe
as the Singularity passes overhead
like the Death Angel
bringing undeniable propulsion
so be us all.

TA