The Internet Turns You Into a Troll
by Laura Buxbaum
Just the other day you were a boy full of bluster and hope,
a little naïve, wishing for a life. How did you fall
into that deep cave where you tumbled down endless
rock walls into a dark cavern? There
the goblins rubbed their gnarled hands in glee
over such a tasty new morsel. Oh, bring him
to the King! He is so lovely and just
stupid enough.
King Goblin – hunched and hungry, gleaming
with dark anticipation. My boy, what will I do
with you? Shall I keep you here? Chain you
to the rock wall, only to be freed
for my amusement? Or will you return
to your world to do my bidding?
The goblins cried: Keep him! Send him! Cook him! Eat him!
and fell upon each other with fists and knives. You
were thrilled at their attention, almost
like love. In the end
they sent you back, and now
you watch and wait for your chance
to pounce on a word or a thought. Faithful
servant, carrying with you the dark
of that deep cave, wishing for the night
when you will return to someplace like home.