Hello Operator?

Posted byauthorstewPosted inpoetryTags:, ,
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Hello?

-Hello operator?

Hello. How may I help?


-Tell me that I matter.

And why would I do that?

-You asked how you could help.

And that would help?

-As far as I can tell.

But do you have a problem? Something we can help you with?

-Yes. It would help if you would just listen.

Then I’m listening. Tell me your problem.

-The problem is myself, the problem that I’m in.

We offer many different options. Anything you wish.

-If wishes were rain, I’d be a storm.

Does that mean you’ve made your choice?

-What choice do I have? What words could I form?

Perhaps I could transfer you to a customer service agent.

-Thank you for your concern. You’ve been so much more than kind.

You’re welcome. And thank you for using our AI agent.

This is from a prompt from dVerse: ‘What I’d like us to do this week is to employ dialogue (even if it’s just a line of it) to good rhetorical effect in our poetry. Another option is to simply write about the act of conversing (as in the last two examples) when it may be obligatory, welcome or intrusive, or conversational tics that charm or set you off. Whichever way you choose, let’s “dialogue it in”!’ Hope you enjoy it!

Published by authorstew

C. Stuart Lewis creates poems with feeling, intelligence and sex appeal. His short stories and books focus on characters that feel real in real world situations. Originally from the United States he now resides in Ontario, Canada. Check out his webpage at TheAuthorStew.ca

10 thoughts on “Hello Operator?”

  3. “-Tell me that I matter.

    And why would I do that?”

    Indeed why? When it’s an AI. Sad, chilling, and deflating all at once, and such a successful use of dialogue, Stew.

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