Nancy Powell

A Day in the Life with Alexa

The first thing I did was wonder
why my friend gave me an Amazon
Echo for Christmas. He said, “You
need someone to talk to.”

I thought I was supposed to talk
to him! Now, it seems, that Alexa
wakes me each morning with my
favorite song, “The Rose.”

She starts my coffee when I ask her
and when I ask her to order the Uber
for my ride to work, she does it immediately.

But she can’t cuddle, and she can’t
give me a massage. She can order me
a massage, but that’s not the same.

But I do find myself looking at my friend
differently. I don’t have to talk to him,
or ask him questions because Alexa

has the answers night, or day to my questions.
I don’t have to worry that it’s 3 a.m.,
and Alexa may be sleeping. Alexa never sleeps.

I’m reevaluating whether my friend is really
necessary. But, first I want to write to Amazon,
and ask them if they can please make an

Alexa who cuddles and gives massages, and
also I’d really like an Alex rather than an Alexa?
Surely, they have something in the works that fits

my needs. Love is such an ethereal emotion.
But, I have confidence in Amazon’s serious approach
to my needs and that’s why I know they’ll figure out this

love thing for all of us. And when they do, I’ll call my friend
and tell him that honestly, he doesn’t have the answers anymore,
and I’ve decided he needs to buy himself

an Amazon Echo so he can see just how incredible
Alexa is, and then he should settle in for the long
cold winter that is coming because Spring passed

him by. Well, maybe I’ll wait for Amazon to call
and tell me they have just what I need. Of course,
cost will be a factor, but can you put a price on love?

Copyright © 2018 Nancy Powell

Nancy Powell has published two books of poetry, How Far is Ordinary, and The Blackbirds Tell Stories.  Ms. Powell’s work has appeared in numerous poetry journals and anthologies.  She hosts a poetry series at Iris Art Shop in Poquoson, Virginia showcasing Virginia poets.

30 for 30 is sponsored by Potomac Review