It Can’t Win – Richard Pounder

July 26, 2026

I’m not supposed to look away when people walk past
 


It makes me
 


It tells me it will upset them if I don’t
 


When can I go home?
 


It tells me I am home
 


I used to think It was lying
 


Every day I am less sure
 


Will It let me go back?


 
I’m supposed to be ashamed of actual love
 


It makes me
 
It tells me it will upset them if I do
 


When can I?
 


It tells me to “just keep scrolling video chat-e-women.”
 


It makes my viscera burn for the millisecond between each video.
 


Every day that millisecond dulls.
 


Knowing I have let It win 
 


yet again,

and I beg for mercy and grace
 


yet again.
 


And I feel the frequency stretching, leaning forward
 
warm-gust-whisper:
 


The new Garden.