Toaster Dreams

(celebrating the invention of the toaster)

A toaster dreams,

and vacuum cleaners sit around,

while the plasma TV

shows them soaps

where everyone's an evil twin

who stars in a reality show

about a woman giving souls

to household goods.

The toaster smiles,

and shoots his slices

high into the kitchen air,

while the oven looks on knowingly,

and the coffee-maker sputters

with frustration.

The toaster waits,

with patience fit for Job,

for that one chance,

when all the chrome stars are aligned,

and luck is thick within the wires

of his freshly-minted soul,

and he flees unseen

to a freedom

he had never known.