The Ultimate Machine

By Theo Carreiro

It watches, patiently

awaiting the cog wheel turn from the

meticulous movement of

callused hands,

to bite the hand that feeds it,

worn from the long hours of work.

Sweat on her brow, heel to the floor, the work begins.

The ticking needle with its methodical hum:

the artificial heartbeat.

Is all creation like this?

To gamble suffering in one's ambitions,

needle to cloth, pen to paper.

No, we must move forward accepting—

in creation, there is

misery and worry,

the quiet breath that stills;

you are not a machine.

Careful that the hands are not stitched painfully,

but can feel each fiber

and know how far we have come.

Theo Carreiro is a sophomore double-majoring in History and Creative Writing, and minoring in Mythology & Folklore. They are passionate about writing and researching history and mythology, and about telling previously hidden stories, especially those from their hometown of Fall River, MA. They are also a visual artist and musician, and they enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons with their friends.