But I Know They're There

by Your Nomad Soul

There are trees outside
We don’t see them
We’re not allowed
But I know they’re there

The absence of windows
Makes it hard
To convince
Anyone
But I know they’re there

I’m pretty sure
There are birds too
Not that I know what they
Look like
I shouldn’t know
They exist
But I stole a few
Books from below

Books are forbidden knowledge
The knowledge of them
Is forbidden
But I know they’re there
Day in and day out
Are pretty much where we begin
And end
We log in and log out
Clock what’s inside
And what comes out
Measure it
And eat accordingly

We’re healthy
But not alive
Sinless
But not alive
Wealthy
But not alive
Perfect
But not alive

Trees aren’t perfect
The pictures I’ve seen are
Something else
Something I can’t say about
Anything here
Beautiful
And not perfect
All funny angles
And squiggly lines
Not perfect at all

No one cares that
They’re out there
While we’re in here
Connecting and clicking
And synching and cycling
Through the streams
And surges of
Outrageous data

Some say they don’t exist
The trees
I asked someone
Why can’t we go outside
They said we’re safe
Here
Now
Run along

Someone else said we deserve to be here
Caged and collected
So we don’t do
What we did
Before
What did we do before
I want to climb a tree
They’re outside
The birds too
I know it
I know they’re there

The door is there
It’s big huge enormous
Monstrous
I snuck here on my own
It’s easy once you figure
Out the vents

This console
It’s a maze
Of flashing
And phasing
And bleeping
Lights and sounds and text
I shouldn’t be reading
Passwords and puzzles
I shouldn’t be solving

But the trees
I know they’re there
Out beyond this cavernous
Portal
All funny angles
And squiggly lines
I want to climb a tree

I’m in
Soon I’ll be out
Just for a peek
And a climb
And then I’ll sneak
Back to my bunk and
I’ll sleep and I’ll dream
In funny angles
And squiggly lines

One two click
Four five click
Return
Shift
Delete

My life inside here
Is all I’ve had and
It’s the same for everyone
Safe but not new
Clean but not fresh
Perfect
But not
Alive
Hiss
Groan
Clang
Tick tick tick tick tick
Bright light
So white I can’t see
But I feel it
On my face like a breath
Of some great formless being
I heard the word for this
Sunshine
Yes
Sunshine

My skin scrunches up
Like it’s cold
But it’s warm
I can’t see them yet
But I know they’re there

This light
It’s not like what I’m used to
New but not safe
Fresh but not clean
Alive
But not
No it is
It’s perfect
And alive

Finally
I’m starting to see
Swimming shapes
Making solid forms
It’s all
It’s all
It’s all
Squiggly angles
And funny lines

But where are the trees?

This was inspired by playing way too much Fallout 3.

THANK YOU to @steemcleaners for THIS

SHOUT OUT to @clayboyn for THIS

CHECK THIS OUT

Peace, Love and a Little Madness

Nomad